Two of Ireland's four boats contesting today's semi-finals at the final leg of the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne impressively qualified for tomorrow's finals.
The Irish light women's double (LW2x) fought hard in a tight semi-final to claim second place behind the USA and the vital spot in tomorrow's final.
Afterwards, the men's lightweight four (LM4-) defeated reigning world champions France to win their semi-final in a thrilling battle.
The French four started fast but the Irish crew anticipated the move and never let them more than a quarter of a length out of their sight.
The Germans, who took gold at the first leg on home soil in Munich six weeks ago, kept the pressure on the Irish and French all the way but by the 1750 metre mark the Irish quartet had pushed a boat length clear on France.
There was a second between the two boats at the finish with the Germans just managing to hold on to the final qualifying spot in third and push the race for the 2006 World Cup title all the way to the wire.
Egypt claimed victory in the second semi-final just crossing the line ahead of the fast finishing Dutch four and the Greeks in third.
