Former University of Wisconsin athlete Victoria Opitz and her women’s eight boat will compete in the finals of the World Rowing Championships after winning their heat Monday in Aiguebelette, France.
The Americans, with Middleton native and two-time world champion Opitz, posted the day’s fastest time in the event of 5 minutes, 59.580 seconds to beat out Netherlands (6:02.120) for the top spot, though the Netherlands also advanced to the final.
The boat must finish in the top five in the event to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The Americans are in search of their 10th consecutive world championship in the event.