Early favourite Kim Brennan struggles in her heat of women’s sculls

A FURIOUS Kim Brennan has blasted Olympic organisers for allowing her event to proceed in appalling rowing conditions which almost ruined her gold medal hopes.

Australia's Kim Brennan struggled during her heat on Day 1 of the Women's Single Scull at Lagoa Stadium. Picture. Brett Costello

ANGRY rowing star Kim Brennan claimed officials made a major blunder in not calling off the competition in wild conditions that almost sank her boat.

Australia’s rowing campaign was rocked after raging gold medal favorite Brennan was trounced in her heat of the women’s single sculls.

Brennan started boldly and lead early but faded to finish third behind Mexico’s Kenia Lechuga Alanis who streeted the field and finished 11 seconds in front of Brennan.

Brennan clearly seemed to lose her rhythm in the choppy waters of Lagoa Stadium which she deemed unraceable due to the wild chop and white capped waves.

A furious Kim Brennan has had a crack at organisers. Picture. Brett Costello

“The general rule is (the meet is suspended) where there are white caps,’’ she said.

“We have breaking waves out there. I was pretty close to sinking.’’

“I have put 10 years plus into this and to have it decided on what was a little bit of a lottery was very disappointing.’’

Later in the day a Serbian rower did sink after becoming unbalanced by the chop. Brennan spent several minutes bailing water out of her boat after the race.

“We just didn’t prepared the boat for those conditions. It took in a lot of water. If we have conditions like this again we will be better prepared. They have never raced us in these sorts of conditions.’’

Australia was one of several nations to question the decision to row on to the world rowings head body (FISA) whose executive director Matt Smith was faced the media to explain his body’s stance.

Milos Vasic and Nenad Bedik, of Serbia, are helped out of the water after capsizing while competing in the men's pair heat.

“Rowing takes place in different conditions - boatsmanship and experience are part of rowing,’’ Smith said.

“We didn’t think it would be fair to cancel when rowers from places like Mexico and Nigeriua were handling the conditions well.’’

Brennan had not been beaten in the event for two years and has been posted a $1.40 favourite to win gold with bookmakers.

Brennan’s quest for gold was thought top be a two woman shootout between her and Kiwi rival Emma Twigg but suddenly there are new challengers including Zimbabwe’s Micheen Thornycroft who beat Brennan home.

At one stage Brennan was fourth in the race but rallied to qualify for the quarters by running third.

Australia had fine overall day with six of the seven boats qualifying for the next round and only the women’s quad forced to got through the repecharge.

Originally published as Early favourite Kim Brennan struggles in her heat of women’s sculls