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First day of racing was successful for most of the favorites at Lake Bled today. Spectators could see a lot of interesting races. The men’s single scull was the race with most rowers, since it attracted 36 countries and it was divided into six heats, the goal was to finish in a top three position for a direct path to the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Reigning World Champion Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic won the first heat, also successful was Germany's Marcel Hacker in heat six. Heat three was all about Alan Campbell of Great Britain, heat five was won by Mahe Drysdale from New Zealand.

Also successful was the team from Slovenia in heat two of the men's double sculls. The crowd came alive as the 2000 Olympic Champions from Slovenia, Iztok Cop and Luka Spik were racing. These two athletes are Slovenia’s biggest hope for a medal at this regatta and are also the nation’s most successful rowers. After overtaking the French, Cop and Spik got into the lead and held it to the end. Buoyed by the finish line crowd, Cop and Spik finished with a 41 stroke rate and there was no hiding their joy at their result. Spik saluted the crowd before rowing into the dock to meet their coach. The Slovenians go directly to the semifinals with the added psychological advantage of recording the fastest qualifying time.