Australian single sculler Rhys Grant has moved a step closer to the Rio Olympics after advancing to the men's final at rowing's qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland.
However the outcome wasn't as good for Australia's hopes in the lightweight women's double scull, with Hannah Every-Hall and Georgia Nesbitt out of the running.
Grant needed a top three finish in his semi-final to move into the A-final, where the first three home will win a Rio berth for their country.
Facing stiff competition from Russia, Belgium, France, Hungary and Israel, Grant paced himself early on and was fourth at the 500m mark.
The West Australian lifted his rating in a bid to catch the front-runner, Belgium's Hannes Obreno, but the margin was too great.
Grant was pipped on the line by 0.02 seconds by the Hungarian entry, but his third place was enough for a final position.
In the lightweight women's, the new-look Australian duo were up against a fast field.
London Olympian Every-Hall, who finished fifth there in the same class, had been paired this season with up-and-coming Tasmanian, Nesbitt.
The Swedish pairing of Cecilia Lilja and Emma Fredh led from the start with Italy and Greece battling behind for second and third and the Australians coming fifth, missing the final by one place.
Grant's final will be held Wednesday 12.10am (AEST) followed by the Australia's crew in the women's eight (2.00am) and men's eight final (2.10am).
The Australians must finish top two in those races to qualify for Rio.
