WORLD champion rower Zac Purchase - whose mother, Sara, lives

in Plymouth - and team-mate Mark Hunter have become the first

lightweight double sculls British crew ever to qualify for an

Olympic ‘A’ rowing final in that event.

The duo dominated their semi-final in Beijing today, finishing

comfortably ahead of their Italian rivals.

Purchase and Hunter, who have not lost a race this year and who

are regarded as favourites for a gold medal, take their place

in the final on Sunday.

Full story in tomorrow’s edition of The Herald.