Ayers' team got out to a fast start in the two-kilometre race, and settled into second place at the halfway mark about a boat-and-a-half behind the United States.

They fell another boat-length behind the Americans in the next 500m, but maintained a solid gap over third-placed Israel with 500m to go.

The Aussies managed to hold on to second place and qualified for the Repechage in a time of 7:30.72, 11 seconds behind the victorious Americans, and eight seconds ahead of Israel for third place.

Nikki and her teammates Alexandra Viney, Thomas Birtwhistle, James Talbot, and Coxswain Renae Domaschenz will be back on the water tomorrow.

If the team wins their Repechage, they will qualify for the final on Sunday.