Lynch and Jennings make winning starts at Lucerne

Rowing: Ireland made a good start to the World Rowing Championhips in Lucerne, with lightweight single scullers Sam Lynch and SinΘad Jennings both winning their heats yesterday, writes Liam Gorman.

Lynch, who won silver at last year's World Championships, moved confidently into this year's semi-final thanks to his win in seven minutes 00.51, from Mexican Romulo Bouzas.

In her heat Jennings came back from a slow start to finish 12.48 seconds ahead of early leader Victoria Dimitrova of Bulgaria. The Donegal woman, who clocked 7:49:92, thus qualified directly for the finals.

Heavyweight single sculler Padraig Hussey could only finish fourth in his heat in 7:21:24 and must now take the more tortuous route of competing in the repechages.

Cycling: Max Sciandri, the bronze medallist in the road race at the Atlanta Olympics, said yesterday he was surprised by news agency reports from Italy which stated that he had been placed under formal investigation over drugs charges, together with 39 other riders following the police raids at the Tour of Italy in mid-June.

"Personally I've received nothing, no letter from anyone, but someone told me I'm up there on the list which was in the Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday," said Sciandri.

"I had not been officially informed of anything by then, I'm just going to wait and see what happens."

Sciandri confirmed to the Guardian in mid-July that police had found caffeine tablets in his possession when they raided the race, but he remains adamant that the pills are innocuous.

"If I get to see themagistrate I'll ask him how many cups of coffee he had that morning. It's nothing."

He could, however, face charges under Italy's new law against the use of drugs in sport.

--(Guardian Service)

Athletics: Mark Carroll was outsprinted by John Mayock in the 3,000 metres in yesterday's Classic meet at Gateshead.

Mayock won in seven minutes 57.11, beating Carroll and the Tim Broe of the United States.

Mayock, who is planning to move up to 5,000 metres next year, said: "The trouble (at the World Championships) in Edmonton was I was still feeling the injury I picked up training - but that's not an excuse. Next week I will be looking to do good times constantly over 5K. That's where I feel my career lies."

Paula Radcliffe got over her disappointments in Edmonton and Zurich by breaking away three laps from the end to win the 10,000 metres.

"That's what I was planning to do in Edmonton," she admitted. "It hurt a bit at the end but by that time there was only two laps to run."

There was a brilliant 800 metres victory for Kelly Holmes, who outsprinted world bronze medallist Letitia Vriesde over the last 200 metres to finish in 1:58.10.

Turning back the clock eight years gained Steve Backley a victory which will also see the former world record holder continue his javelin throwing career.

Admitting retirement entered his mind after failing to qualify for the world championships final last weekend then placing a lowly seventh in Zurich on Friday night, 32-year-old Backley was back in top form.

Consistency and a last-round throw of 86.74 metres saw Backley return to winning ways ahead of Harri Haitainen, who had led from the first round with an opening effort and personal best of 86.63m.

Backley admitted Edmonton had been a bleak seven days in his life. "But after this it's all put to bed. I beat the best in the world today," said the European champion.

Golf: American David Oakley picked up his first title of the year in the Senior Masters at rain-soaked Wentworth.

Opening efforts of 68 and 69 had given Oakley a four shot lead going into the final 18 holes and an ultra-steady closing 71, compiled in tropical-like storms, saw him finish on eight under par 208, three shots clear of England's Malcolm Gregson.

Tommy Horton recorded only his second top 10 finish of the year with a flawless closing 68 for a two under par total of 214.

Hopes of an Irish success had rested on the shoulders of Cork's Denis O'Sullivan, who had already won twice on the European Seniors Tour this season, and who started the final round in a share of ninth place only six shots behind Oakley.

But the tropical-like rain showers washed away the 53-year-old's chances along with the rest of the field, his closing 78 seeing him finish on five over par 221, leaving the honour of leading Irish competitor with Ulsterman Eddie Polland, who finished one shot better on 220.