Mooney Qualifies for Second Semifinal

Switching partners and distances is proving easier than John Mooney thought.

He qualified for his second Olympic semifinal in the flatwater canoe and kayak competition, this time with Stein Jorgensen in the 500-meter two-man kayak. Tuesday, he teamed with Peter Newton to advance to the 1,000-meter two-man kayak semifinal.

Of five U.S. boats racing in six events in the morning, only two qualified for the semifinals directly while the rest advanced through afternoon second-chance races.

Jim Terrell, considered the top flatwater canoeist in the United States, qualified for Friday’s semifinals in the 500-meter canoe.

The U.S. entries in the men’s and women’s single kayak and the two-woman kayak all faced repechages.

Mike Herbert easily reached the semifinal by finishing second in the repechage. Lia Rousset, of Newport Beach, and DeAnne Hemmens, of Costa Mesa, also finished second in their 500-meter kayak repechage.