Chinese girls led in the heats of women's four at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Beijing on Wednesday.

 

China won the heat by 6:53.68 and entered the finals together with Germany, which finished the heat in 7:07.11.

 

Nine teams participated in the first day competition. The other seven, with the US as the fastest, will compete in the repechage tomorrow.

 

The US crew was second to China in heat 2 with a result of 6:59.79, but only the first crew in each heat group will automatically enter the finals.

 

More than 600 junior rowers from 50 countries and regions participate in the 4-day World Rowing Junior Championships.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2007)