Usain Bolt wins heat one of the men's 100 metres during day one of the National Trials. - Ricardo Makyn

IT was smooth sailing for the top three in the men's 100 metres in the quarter-final on the opening day of the JAAA Supreme Ventures Limited National Trials as Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell cruised to today's semi-final, which is scheduled for 7:25 p.m.

Taking the track in the first quarter-final, the defending Olympic champion and world leader Bolt was very easy, as he won in 10.06 seconds, with MVP's Jacques Harvey second in 10.15 seconds.

In the following heat, it was the world champion Blake, who posted the fastest time of the round, as he was pressed by his teammate Kemar Bailey-Cole who clocked (10.12) and former national champion Oshane Bailey 10.26 seconds.

big roar

There was a big roar from the crowd for former world record holder Powell, who took the track in the third quarter-final. It was also easy going for him and his teammate Nesta Carter, who both clocked 10.19 seconds with Carter getting the win.

Michael Frater was also victorious as he won the final heat in 10.09 seconds, getting the better of Lerone Clarke who was second in 10.15 seconds.

There was also first round action in the women's and men's 400 metres last night with no casualities and all the major players advanced. MVP's Christine Day, who won heat III was the fastest qualifier with 51.50 seconds. Heat II winner Rosemarie Whyte was the second fastest with 51.80 seconds, as favourite Novlene Williams-Mills (52.18) and Shericka Williams (52.13) also won their heats.

HEAT WINNERS

Overseas-based Errol Nolan, who won bronze for the United States two years ago, at the World Junior Championship, won his heat in 45.76 seconds. The other heat winners were Akeem Gauntlett (47.44), Jermaine Gonzales ( 46.39), Javere Bell ( 45.71), Dane Hyatt (45.70) and Ricardo Chambers(46.19) seconds. Semi-finals for both males and females will run off tomorrow.

In early action yesterday, Melaine Walker and Josef Robertson led all qualifiers for today's final in the 400m hurdles. Walker won her heat in the women's event in 54.88 seconds, while Kaliese Spencer won her heat in 55.92 seconds to qualify for today's final at 8:20 p.m.

Robertson's winning time was 50.03 seconds in the men's equivalent, while Roxroy Cato was second in 50.05 seconds. Bryan Steele (50.14) and Isa Phillips, who was third behind Cato in 50.21 seconds all looked good in advancing.