Paris Olympics come into view for Cambridge rowers Imogen Grant, George Bourne, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson

Cambridge rower Imogen Grant and her partner Emily Craig took a step towards securing their place at next year’s Olympic Games in Paris earlier this week.

The prolific duo, who remain unbeaten this cycle, won their lightweight women’s double sculls heat at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade on Monday in the fastest time of any of the competing nations.

And a win in tomorrow’s semi-finals, followed by a further triumph in the final on Saturday (September 9), would see the pair rubber stamp their Team GB spot.

Grant, who recently finished her medicine degree at Trinity College, said: “It’s always nice to get the first one out the way, especially as we’ve been in a big training block since racing at the World Cup Lucerne.

“It was quite gusty and cross-windy out there so we definitely had conditions to deal with but it’s nice to get that out of the way and have the semi-final in the bag.”

The men’s four, which contains former Cambridge University Boat Club members Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson, are also through to their semi-final, as is Hauxton native George Bourne in the men’s quadruple sculls.

Bourne, who will also be in action on Thursday, said: “It was pretty windy but it was a good start to get the job done and be through to the next round. Like last year, we’ve got to step up our game as we go through the championships, but we’re confident that we can give it our best shot, hopefully make the final and see what pops out on Saturday.”