By Bryn Palmer, Sydney

Greg Searle and Ed Goode made an impressive start in their bid for a fourth consecutive British Olympic gold in the men's coxless pairs when they won their opening heat and set the fastest qualifying time for Thursday's semi finals.

The British pair, looking to follow in the golden wake of first Steve Redgrave and Andy Holmes, and then Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent (twice), controlled the race from the front and comfortably held off a concerted challenge from the Australian pair in the third heat.

They finished in a time of 6:42:45, narrowly ahead of the Yugoslavian pair who won the second heat.

France, who won the first heat, Italy, Croatia, South Africa, the USA, Australia and Canada complete the semi-final line-up.

Earlier, Alison Mowbray could only manage third in her heat of the women's single sculls and will now attempt to progress through the repechage section, as will Matthew Wells in the men's single sculls, after finishing second in his heat.

The other British participants on the Penrith Lake this morning endured an unhappy time, with former world champions Dot Blackie and Catherine Bishop trailing in fifth and last in their heat.