A thunderstorm briefly delayed competition today at the Para-rowing event ©World Rowing

Ukraine's reigning Paralympic champion Roman Polianskyi was among heat winners before weather intervened today at the Para Rowing International Regatta in Gavirate in Italy.

A torrential lightening storm caused heats action to be postponed for the day in the afternoon.

But Polianskyi had no problems in easing to victory in heat two of the men's PR1 single sculls in 12min 4.08sec.

Benjamin Pritchard of Great Britain finished a distant second in the heat in 13:10:13.

Another Briton joined Pritchard in the final as Andrew Houghton took heat three in 11:55:30.

The two other heats were both won by Frenchmen.

Julien Hardi took heat one in 12:57:50 while Pascal Daniere took heat four in 12:33:80.

Australia's four-time world champion Erik Horrie was a non-starter in the opening competition of the season.

On the women's side, Germany's Sylvia Pille-Steppat was the fastest qualifier in a time of 14:26.80.

Italy's Anila Hoxha was second in 15:21.90 and Tracy van Asseldonk of Canada third, in 16:32.90.

Action will continue tomorrow.