Thursday 30 July
FISA press release:
2009 World Rowing Junior Championships attracts record numbers for first YOG qualification
Wednesday 29 July
The 2009 World Rowing Junior Championships in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France has attracted a record number of entries and when these top juniors race they will be part of the first ever qualification process for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
This year 783 athletes from 66 nations shall compete. According to FISA's events commission chair Mike Tanner the large numbers must be due to the added element of Youth Olympic qualification.
"It seems to be the only obvious reason for the increase," says Tanner. "We have promoted the Youth Olympic Games well and this is the only chance for nations to qualify rowers for next year's Games. There is a lot of interest amongst nations in finding out what the Youth Olympics can do for our sport."
The Youth Olympics will include four rowing events. One of these, the men's single, has attracted the largest field. The event has been won for the past two years by Bulgaria, but in Brive the Bulgarians have a newcomer, Veselin Rusinov competing. Rusinov will take on 37 other nations in his quest for a junior medal.
As the majority of these athletes are competing for the first time on the international stage, the field is wide open to exciting new results. In recent years Germany has been prominent on the medals podium and there is every indication that its strength will continue this year. Germany has entries in all 13 events.
Germany is the reigning champion in the men's double. But with entries from 34 nations in this event, the Germans will face strong competition from around the world. Last year's silver medallists, Lithuania have retained Algirdas Bendaravicius in the boat. Bendaravicius, 17, raced last week at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships and he is considered a top prospect for his nation. Bendaravicius will team up with first time junior Ernestas Zarskis.
This year's event shall be held on the French Lake of "Causse Corrézien" near Brive-la-Gaillarde in the south west of France from 5 to 8 August. The venue is being used for the first time for a World Rowing event. The regatta will be staged around the water sports centre which has recently been renovated to meet international standards. The area is accustomed to rowing regattas, having hosted many regional and national events over the years.
To compete in the World Rowing Junior Championships, rowers must be 18 years or under. An athlete can compete as a junior until 31st December of the year in which s/he reaches the age of 18. After that date s/he shall be classified an Under 23 rower.
The World Rowing Junior Championships is partly subsidised by the World Rowing Masters Regatta which donates 1 Euro of every Masters Regatta entry fee for supporting youth rowing.
Live scoring, audio streaming, race reports, results and a photo gallery will be available throughout the regatta on www.worldrowing.com.
For more information - FISA media contact:
Marion Gallimore, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: +41 21 617 83 73 or direct +41 21 612 02 26, mobile +41 79 706 72 55
E-mail: marion.gallimore@fisa.org
Wednesday 29 July
RA media release:
Double change for Australia ahead of World Championships
The Australian rowing team has been forced to make two changes to crews ahead of the upcoming FISA World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Joshua Dunkley-Smith (VIC), who stroked the Under 23 men’s eight to fourth place in the recent Under 23 World Championships in the Czech Republic, has been called in to replace the injured Dominic Grimm (NSW) in the senior men’s eight crew.
Grimm, who was selected for his first senior team in 2009, was ruled out with a rib stress fracture.
Sophia Robson (VIC) meanwhile will continue to row in the women’s four crew after acting as a shadow replacement for Emma McCarthy (QLD) over the last few weeks. McCarthy has been unable to shake off a knee injury that has been troubling her throughout the season.
National High Performance Director Andrew Matheson says it provides a good opportunity for the replacements.
“Obviously it is pretty disappointing for Dominic and Emma to miss out through injury, but in the same instance it opens the door for two other talented athletes,” Matheson said. “Sophia and Josh have both been rowing really well and now they have the opportunity to perform at the highest level.”
Both Grimm and McCarthy will remain at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The Australian squad will enter a departure camp at the Sydney International Regatta Centre next Monday before departing for a training camp in Italy on Sunday August 9.
The 2009 FISA Rowing World Championships will be held in Poland from August 23–30.
For more information please call David Polglase on 0401 453 041
Monday 27 July
RA media release:
Double bronze for Australia at world championships
The Australian women’s lightweight quad scull and men’s quad scull have both won bronze medals at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships overnight in Racice, Czech Republic.
Australia sent seven crews to the championships and qualified three crews for the respective finals on Sunday.
The women’s lightweight quad scull was being contested for the first time at this level and the Australian crew of Gabrielle Kukla (QLD), Alison Scobbie (QLD), Lauren Burraston (ACT) and Ella Flecker (TAS) started slower than the other crews in contention and were placed 4th after the first quarter of the race.
The Australian crew came home strongly in the second 1000m and although Germany was never challenged, Australia pushed USA over the closing stages to just miss out on the silver medal in a time of 6:37.74.
Matthew Bolt (SA), David Wright (ACT), James McRae (SA) and Sasha Belonogoff (QLD) won Australia's second bronze medal of the regatta after a third place finish in the final of the men's quad scull.
The result was a strong one for the crew considering the depth of the field which featured Croatia, the same crew that defeated 2008 Olympic Champions Poland, in World Cup 3 earlier this month.
Australia’s time of 5:48.47 was only three seconds off that of Croatia, while the Ukraine claimed the silver medal.
In the last race of the regatta the Australian men’s eight finished in fourth place behind Poland, Germany and Great Britain.
Read full race reports.
For more information please call David Polglase on 0401 453 041
Monday 27 July
FISA press release:
Rowing Rallies at Under 23 Championships
Sunday 26 July
A short and violent storm at the start of the 2009 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, brought the rowing community together when eight boats were damaged beyond repair. The men's coxed four event was under threat after 8 of the boats entered were unusable.
The rowing community rallied and a number of nations and boat builders offered to help. The support from the German Federation was especially recognised when they were presented with a Fair Play Award from the Czech Republic. Chairman of the Czech Rowing Association, Jiri Kejval, said there were two highlights for him at these championships, the high level of competition and the response to the storm.
"I was amazed at how helpful everyone was to each other and the huge solidarity amongst the rowing community" said Kejval. "I am very proud to be part of the rowing community. The friendships were noticeable to me. The German Federation help was the biggest but in my point of view everyone helped."
The men's coxed four ended in a win for New Zealand, rowing in a boat supplied by the Italian boat builder Filippi. The change in boats had not been a disadvantage.
Germany finished the regatta in fine form with 13 medals from the 21 events, five of them gold. Their lightweight crews especially held strong bringing in four of the golds.
Italy enjoyed a six-medal success with their lightweight men's pair of Andrea Caianiello and Armando Dell'Aquila, winng their third consecutive championship title. The duo also set a new under 23 World Best Time. A number of new World Best Times were set including one by local rower, Jitka Antosova in the women's single. Olympian Antosova received huge crowd support for the entire 2000m race as she rowed in very slight tail wind conditions on the Racice Regatta Course.
Iran also attracted much adulation when lightweight single sculler Mohsen Shadi Naghadeh won the first ever gold medal in rowing for his country at a World Rowing event.
Now in its fifth year, the World Rowing Under 23 Championships continues to provide an important platform for developing future elite rowers, as is evident in the high level of competition and the continuing growth in participation. 56 nations entered the 2009 Championships, the largest entry since the event took on World Championship status back in 2005. This year saw Angola participate for the first time and the introduction of a new event, the lightweight women's quadruple sculls.
The international rowing world will gather again in ten days time for the World Rowing Junior Championships in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France.
For race full results, reports and features, go to www.worldrowing.com.
For more information - FISA media contact:
Marion Gallimore, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: +41 21 617 83 73 or direct +41 21 612 02 26, mobile +41 79 706 72 55
E-mail: marion.gallimore@fisa.org
Monday 27 July
Under 23 World Championships: race reports Day IV
Men's Lightweight Four
Edward White, Charles Budd, Thomas Bertrand and Perry Ward secured third place in the B Final of the men's lightweight four.
The Australian crew had a great start to the race and led through the first three splits, holding almost a two second lead with only 500m left to race.
Italy and Denmark however came over the Australians in the last part of the race, with the Italians winning in a time of 6:05.10. Australia crossed the line in 6:06.41.
Women's Lightweight Quad Scull
Australia's women's lightweight quad scull has won the country's first medal of the regatta after picking up a bronze in the final.
Gabrielle Kukla, Alison Scobbie, Lauren Burraston and Ella Flecker started slower than the other crews in contention and were placed 4th after the first quarter of the race.
They made a move in next 500m to sit third at the halfway mark, just over two seconds down on the German crew.
Germany were never challenged in the race and led from start to finish, while the Australian's pushed USA over the closing stages to just miss out on the silver medal in a time of 6:37.74.
Men's Quad Scull
Matthew Bolt, David Wright, James McRae and Sasha Belonogoff won Australia's second bronze medal of the regatta after a third place finish in the final of the men's quad scull.
In what was one of the most talented fields in the championships, Australia was in fifth place through the first 500m of the race as France set the pace.
The favoured Croatian crew however had gone through the French by the 1000m point of the race along with the Ukranians, while Australia remained in fifth.
The Australian's came home very strongly over the final half of the race and although they could not quite overhaul Croatia and the Ukraine, they moved into medal places with a time of 5:48.47.
Men's Eight
The Australian men's eight produced an electrifying finish to narrowly miss out on a medal.
Estonia sprung to the lead in the first quarter of the race, while the Australian crew in lane 1 was in sixth place and a little off the pace.
Great Britain assumed the lead at about the 850m mark with the whole field separated by less than a boat length as Australia began dragging themselves back into contention.
In the final half of the race it looked like a four boat race between Great Britain, Poland, Canada and Germany, before Australia sprung into life in the closing stages to finish in fourth place in a time of 5:36.37.
Poland claimed the race in 5:32.77, with Germany in second and Great Britain third.
View results.
Sunday 26 July
2009 Junior Team all set for France
As the Under 23 team battles its way into the finals in Racice, CZE, the National Junior Team are busy making preparations for their chance to etch their names into the history books.
Under the guidance of National TID Coordinator, Wayne Diplock and National Head Coaches Lyall McCarthy and Noel Donaldson, the 2009 Junior Team have been pacing themselves through an intensive and well-structured process at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
Perfect conditions throughout the week have ensured that all crews have been able to focus on technical improvements and making fine adjustments to their final race plans. The Team departs Monday for Brive in the south of France. They go immediately into the final tapering camp, prior to the start of competition on the 5th of August.
At the Team send off dinner, RA Board member and FISA Competitive Commission Chairman, John Boultbee reminded the Team of their obligations to the Australian uniform.
“These kids have a great chance when they travel overseas. We are all quietly expectant and believe that we have the basis of our future Olympians here in this team,” commented Boultbee. “We wish them well and hope only that they enjoy the experience, learn from each race and take any opportunity they have to show how well they can perform.”
Sharing the stress with the Junior Team camp have been the LTA4+ crew, who were recently endorsed by the Rowing Australia Board for inclusion in the 2009 Senior A Team for Poznan.
“It's been a wild ride,” said Carole Cook, rowing in the two seat of the crew. “We have come such a long way in such a short space of time, it's hard to get a grip on where we actually started.”
National Adaptive Head Coach, Pedro Albisser noted that “this crew is far advanced from where we were as a squad last year. Even though we have not been training as a crew for long, we have always made huge steps when we get together. We are all looking forward to getting oversees and concentrating 100% on the job at hand."
Perfect conditions at the SIRC ensure that our next generation of stars
are well prepared.
At full stretch, the JW4- making every training session count.
The JW4x and JW4- feel the pressure as they race to the finish line at SIRC.
Making strides with every session, the LTA4+ return to the start
for another hit-out at SIRC. The crew is: Henry MACPHILLAMY (Stroke),
Peter SIRI (3), Carol COOKE (2), Alexandra GREEN (Bow),
Lisa BROWN (cox), Coach Pedro Albisser.
Matt Bialkowski from the NRCE, has also been Board-approved as
carer and assistant to the crew.
Sunday 26 July
Under 23 World Championships: race reports Day III
Men's Lightweight Double Scull
Alister Foot and Angus Morton moved through to the C Final of the men's lightweight double scull after finishing third in their race this morning.
Foot and Morton held in third place for the majority of the race and at the 1500m mark momentarily moved into second place before being overtaken again by the crew from France.
Poland led the entire race to win in a time of 6:33.07, while France was a second behind, with Australia another second back in a time of 6:35.54.
Women's Four
Philippa Lindley, Louise Kilby, Alexandra Hill and Jessica Hill finished third in the B Final of the women's four.
The Australian crew were the quickest starters and led through the first 500m of the race by just less than a quarter of a second, before being overtaken by the Dutch crew in the second quarter of the race.
Australia held onto second place until the closing stages of the race when they were passed by Germany, finishing in a time of 7:03.86, some eight seconds behind the Dutch winners.
Women's Quad Scull
Peta Eddington, Charlotte Walters, Alison Crowe and Georgia Baker recorded a second placed finish in the B Final of the women's quad scull to round out their world championships.
The crew was placed second throughout the entire three boat race and crossed the finish line in a time of 6:46.58, three seconds behind Russia and over a boat length clear of the USA.
Men's Lightweight Four
Edward White, Charles Budd, Thomas Bertrand and Perry Ward raced for a place in the final of the men's lightweight four, requiring a finish in the top three of their semi-final to progress.
Through the first 500m the field was still very tight with Australia sitting in fourth place, a position they held as all crews went through the halfway mark.
Germany had managed to control the race from the start and accelerated in the final half to win in a time of 6:04.03, ahead of Hungary and France. The Australian crew crossed the line in fifth place in a time of 6:12.71.
Men's Quad Scull
The men's quad scull crew of Matthew Bolt, David Wright, James McRae and Sasha Belonogoff tackled their semi-final with the expectation of making the six boat final on Sunday.
They gave themselves the perfect start to the race and held lead position after the first quarter, before the Croation crew gained the ascendency through 1000m by just under a boat length.
Croatia, who won World Cup 3 over the Olympic champions Poland a few weeks ago, kicked away to establish a four second lead with 500m to race and were not challenged as they crosse the line in a time of 5:44.87. The Ukraine moved through Australia in the last 300m to claim second, but Australia did enough to qualify in a time of 5:48.63.
View results.
Saturday 25 July
Under 23 World Championships: race reports Day II
Women's Four
The women's four crew of Jessica Hill, Alexandra Hill, Phillipa Lindley and Louise Kilby finished fifth in the repechage to miss out on qualifying for the final.
At the halfway mark of the race the Australian crew was in 4th place but were unable to make a move over the final 1000m of the race to complete the course in 6:51.31. Belarus and the USA progressed through to the A Final.
Men's Lightweight Double Scull
Angus Morton and Alister Foot finished third in their repechage of the men's lightweight double scull.
A top two place was required to reach the semi-finals and the Australian crew faced an uphill battle through the 1000m, lying in fourth place. They were able to push up into third in the final 750m of the race but did not have enough to challenge the crews from Denmark and Switzerland.
Australia crossed the line in a time of 6:37.19 and will now race in the lower C semi-finals.
Women's Quad Scull
Peta Eddington, Charlotte Walters, Alison Crowe and Georgia Baker finished fifth in their repechage of the women's quad scull.
The girls came out of the blocks well to be second through the first quarter of race and third through the next 500m. Their early pace however was lost in the closing stages and they crossed the line in a time of 6:43.01.
Men's Eight
The Men's Eight booked their place in the A Final with an excellent row.
They paced themselves perfectly throughout the race and sat in second position at the halfway point behind Estonia.
They made their move in the final half of the race and finished a full five lengths clear in a time of 5:33.34 and will now race for a medal in the final.
View results.
Saturday 25 July
2009 National Team photos – now available
Team photos of the 2009 National Teams that were recently taken by Sydney photo house ‘Spyphotography’ are now available for purchase (view samples below).
Cost: $30 (plus postage and handling) will include names of all team members.
Size: A4
Note: The LTA4+ crew, who were recently approved for National Selection, will also be available shortly.
2009 Senior A and Under 23 teams photo;
taken at the U23 Team send-off dinner, Sebel Hotel, Parramatta
2009 National Senior A Team
2009 National Under 23 Team photo
Australian Junior Team, Brive-La-Gaillarde 2009
Friday 24 July
Well Rowed University
Melbourne University Boat Club
The First 150 Years
Beautifully designed and illustrated in both colour and black and white throughout, ‘Well Rowed University’ contains over 400 images, including early scenes ofMelbourne and the Yarra River rarely seen before. Also included with the book is a disc containing a searchable database of photographs, images and lists of historical interest.
Read more in the attached flier (pdf, 88kb) — includes an order form.
Friday 24 July
RA media release:
Three Australian crews show their hand at world titles
Australian crews have performed well on the first day of the Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.
Seven crews were in action with places in both the semi-finals and finals at stake as crews were met with a difficult tail breeze.
The women’s lightweight quad scull of Lauren Burraston (ACT), Alison Scobbie (QLD), Ella Flecker (TAS) and Gabby Kukla (QLD) gained direct passage to the final in a time of 6:49.55
The men’s lightweight four of Perry Ward (WA), Thomas Bertrand (VIC), Charles Budd (NSW) and Edward White (NSW) held on for second place in their heat to progress to the semi-final in a time of 6:24.25.
James McRae (SA), Matthew Bolt (SA), David Wright (ACT) and Alexander Belonogoff (QLD) was one of the favoured crews entering the heats of the men's quad scull and did not disappoint by winning and safely progressing to the semi-final in a time of 6:00.79.
The Australian crew came out of the start well and led through 500m by over 1.5 seconds, before settling into a good rhythm and leading by half a boat length over Belarus through the halfway mark of the race.
The men’s eight, women’s quad scull, women’s four and men’s lightweight double scull will all face repechages after their respective heat races.
Read full race reports.
For more information please call David Polglase on 0401 453 041
Thursday 23 July
Under 23 World Championships: race reports Day I
Women's Four
The women's four of Jessica Hill, Alexandra Hill, Phillipa Lindley and Louise Kilby finished third in their heat to miss out on directly qualifying for the final of the event.
The Australian crew went through the 500m and 1000m marks sitting in second place behind the crew from France but were overcome by the rampaging Germans in the final half of the race.
Germany crossed the line in 7:08.79, just over a second clear of France, while Australia completed the course in a time of 7:12.00. They will now race in the repechage to try and secure a place in the final.
Women's Lightweight Quad Scull
The women's lightweight quad scull crew of Lauren Burraston, Alison Scobbie, Ella Flecker and Gabby Kukla had the privilege of representing Australia in the first time the event had been offered at this level. Australia has a rich tradition in the senior version of the event and is currently double reigning world champions.
In the second heat the Australian crew was first through the 500m mark and established a boat length lead over the field. They held this lead through the middle stages of the race and were never challenged at the close to cross the line in a time of 6:49.55, two seconds clear of Japan. Both crews progress directly through to the final.
Men's Lightweight Double Scull
Australia's men's lightweight double scull of Alister Foot and Angus Morton finished third in their heat and will now have to row in the repechages to gain a place in the semi-final.
The Italian and Austrian crews were first and second for the entire race, with the Austrians claiming the win in a time of 6:42.42. Australia stopped the clock at 6:48.31.
Lightweight Men's Four
Perry Ward, Thomas Bertrand, Charles Budd and Edward White were given a scare before they progressed to the semi-finals of the men's lightweight four
Through the first 500 metres the Australian crew sat in second position behind Japan, who had moved to a second lead. They extended this margin through the next quarter of the race and by the 1500 metre mark held a 3 second lead. Australia had a further 3 seconds on the Netherlands.
Over the closing 500 metres Japan continued to put clear water on the field, while Australia held off a rampant Dutch on the line to qualify in a time of 6:24.25, only .24 seconds clear.
Women's Quad Scull
Georgia Baker, Alison Crowe, Charlotte Walters and Peta-Lee Eddington finished fourth in their heat of the women's quad scull.
The Australian girls were placed second through 1000m, which would have earned them direct qualification to the final, but faded slightly over the closing stages of the race to finish in a time of 6:57.74.
Germany led for the entire race and won by a commanding eight seconds and will prove difficult to beat in the final.
Men's Quad Scull
James McRae, Matthew Bolt, David Wright and Alexander Belonogoff were one of the favoured crews entering the heats of the men's quad scull and did not disappoint by winning and safely progressing to the semi-final.
The Australian crew came out of the start well and led through 500m by over 1.5 seconds, before settling into a good rhythm and leading by half a boat length over Belarus through the halfway mark of the race.
Over the final half of the race the Australian boat upped the pace and broke clear of Belarus to finish first in a time of 6:00.79.
Men's Eight
The Rhett Ayliffe coached men's eight found themselves in the toughest heat, also being drawn against Canada and Great Britain, with on;y two crews gaining direct access to the final.
William Lockwood, Alexander Scharp, James Goswell, Cameron Brewer, Nicholas Purnell, Ned Kinnear, Rhys Grant and Joshua Dunkley-Smith, coxed by David Webster, drew lane 1 and were in third place after 500m. Australia remained in third at the halfway mark behind Canada and Great Britain, and looked for a push in the crucial third quarter of the race.
Canada was proving too strong however and they crossed the line in 5:47.45, ahead of Great Britain, with Australians a further 2.5 seconds back in 5:52.08. They will now row the repechage and compete for the remaining two spots in the final.
View results.
Wednesday 22 July
AIS Rowing Residential Scholarship Program 2009/10
The NRCE has released the application information relating to the next AIS Rowing Residential intake.
Completed applications are to be sent to the AIS Rowing Program Coordinator Sam Irvine, at Sam.Irvine@ausport.gov.au.
Applications close 17 August 2009.
Application information (pdf, 144kb)
Application form (xls, 376kb)
Wednesday 22 July
Final preparations being made before the U23s are off and racing!
U23 Team Manager, Dean Oakman, recently sent through a series of photos of some of our National Under 23 crews in training as they make their final preparations for World Championship racing which starts on Thursday 23 July in Racice, CZE. Over the course of the regatta we will try to get Dean and other Team staff to send through more photos of the crews in action.
Reports on the day’s proceedings will be available each morning on the Rowing Australia website, while instant results are available at www.worldrowing.com.
The BLM4- take a break between laps on the Racice course
The BW4- and BM4x tune up for racing
BLW4x get set for starts practice
The Team take time out under the tent to re-fuel and to
‘stripe up’ their new Croker Oars
Wednesday 22 July
RA media release:
Final Australian crew makes grade for Poland
An Australian adaptive legs, trunk and arms coxed four is the final crew to be selected for the 2009 World Rowing Championships.
Peter Siri (QLD), Henry Macphillamy (NSW), Carol Cooke (VIC), Alexandra Green (NSW) and Lisa Brown (VIC) (cox) were nominated to the Rowing Australia board late last week before being ratified as the 10th Australian crew to contest the World Championships in Poland this year.
Siri, Cooke and Brown were all part of the crew in 2008, while Macphillamy and Green will debut for Australia in their first year as part of the adaptive rowing set up.
The crew is currently taking part in an adaptive training camp at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith which will conclude on Sunday. They will then return to their home states for a week, before returning to Penrith to join the rest of the World Championships team in a pre departure camp.
National High Performance Director, Andrew Matheson, says the crew has earned their World Championship selection.
“Earlier in the season this crew was not quite up to speed with the times they needed to be competitive in Europe,” Matheson said. “But they went away and worked hard at a number of areas and proved they have the desire and speed to race in Poland.
“Our adaptive rowing program is growing stronger each year and it is important that these rowers get the exposure at international level if we are going to continue to make progress.”
The Australian team departs for Europe on Sunday 9 August where they will initially head to the AIS Training Facility in Varese, Italy for an eight day camp.
They will then travel to Poznan, Poland to compete in the World Championships (23 – 30 August).
For more information please call
David Polglase on 0401 453 041
Tuesday 14 July
Queensland prevails in Youth Cup
With the third and final day of competition completed, Queensland has emerged to win the Rusty Robertson Cup, credited as the best Under-21 rowing state in Australia.
The Australian Youth Cup is a much-anticipated fixture on the elite rowing calendar, and in 2009 featured some of the most exciting junior rowing talent from around Australia. The Cup is run as a team event, with squads from every Australian State and territory (except the Northern Territory), as well as a team from New Zealand, competing for the Rusty Robertson Youth Cup.
Queensland firmed as favourites to win the Cup (for overall pointscore) by the end of the second day’s racing. With their men’s eight winning the silver medal on Day Three (behind the strong Western Australian crew) – it was official: Queensland had captured the Youth Cup.
The 2009 victory is the first time an Australian crew has won the regatta in five years. The New Zealand team have regularly claimed the trophy since 2005. The Queensland team’s depth and consistency, however, helped ensure the Cup would stay in Australia for at least another 12 months.
The third and final day of competition (Sunday) was set aside for the Coxed Eights competition. Leading up to the Eights races, the rowers in each team had completed a gruelling racing schedule. Competing in both small and large boats, rowers would race up to 2 or 3 times a day over the 2-kilometre Olympic course at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
The Eights races would determine the final standings in the overall pointscore. Western Australia won the men’s eight, ahead of Queensland and New Zealand. In the Women’s Eight South Australian ensured they finished the regatta with a flourish, winning the gold medal ahead of Queensland and Western Australia.
Many of the Youth Cup rowers will now prepare to head back to school or university. With the summer rowing season looming, spectators will not have long to wait to see elite junior rowers back on the water.
For all race results please visit ROMS.
Monday 13 July
Time out with Alice McNamara
Victorian Alice McNamara has been one of Australia’s strongest lightweight rowers for a few years now.
A lynchpin of the Victorian rowing system, McNamara was the reserve lightweight for the 2008 Beijing Olympic team behind Amber Halliday and Marguerite Houston.
Her success at the international level is already excellent however, a double world champion in the women’s lightweight quad scull in 2007 and 2008.
In 2009 McNamara was chosen in the women’s lightweight double scull and will row in Poznan at the World Championships with Bronwen Watson.
You are a double world champion in the women’s lightweight quad scull, but describe the significance of your selection in the double this year?
The lightweight double scull for women is our Olympic boatclass, so on an international level it’s where you want to be competing. Having only two seats and a lot of quick Aussie lighties it’s always a tough boat to crack into. I was a young member of the LW4x’s and I learnt an awful lot from the girls I rowed with and from Ellen [Randell]. It was an important step.
You worked under Ellen Randell last year for your world championship and now again this year. Are you learning different skills being part of the double, or is it all fairly similar?
When we first jumped in the 2x I felt like there were people missing! Our technical model and rhythm has evolved from those two seasons, so we by no means have had to start from scratch. Still, we are learning skills each week to get the 2x going, and getting some good tips from good 2x movers.
With Ellen we feel like we are applying a formula that we know worked for us in the 4x. Working with Ellen is ... special. There’s surface chaos, but a really solid structure underneath. It’s methodical and super positive. The 4x’s were really close-knit, enjoyable teams to be a part of, and we know it translates to good speed.
How has your preparation been over the last two months since selection and what is to follow in the next six weeks?
I’m really enjoying the preparation. Training has been very solid and consistent and we’re able to switch our seating regularly to get really in tune with what the other is doing. Ellen’s program is very good at giving us gauges as to how we’re stepping up week to week. We’ve just had the opportunity to race the ‘Lucerne World Cup 3’ against the W2- and W2x, which was a great pressure situation for us to get the adrenalin going and get out there racing. We had some clear intentions going in and now some confidence coming out. We really enjoyed the racing!
From next week we’ll head to Penrith for a few weeks of focused pre-departure camp, and hone some more things Lucerne has taught us. The whole Senior team join us in early August, then a week later we’ll fly out to train in Varese.
Outside of the world of rowing, how do you keep yourself occupied?
At the moment Bron and I are both working a few days a week and we seem to be filling in that extra time mostly by drinking coffee. Now that exams are over I can relax by reading the paper, finding new music or watching Seinfeld. Melbourne has raised me to be a coffee and muffin/fruit toast connoisseur, and good company in cafes is definitely a passion.
The women’s lightweight double scull is renowned for its tight racing and blanket finishes. What will you and Bronwen have to do in Poznan to beat your rivals?
Looking at the World Cups in 2009, the LW2x field is tight once again. It always comes down to the most efficient crews, who can consistently split 2000m. Just like previously in the LW4x, we won’t have any lead-up regattas against our opposition, which is nice for us that we go in as an unknown. We’ll have had the benefit of keeping our heads in our boat, and hopefully their heads in our boat too!
What are your long-term goals as a rower?
I was lucky enough to get a sniff in Beijing, so I’m definitely aiming for London 2012. It’s going to be the team to be a part of!
Monday 13 July
National Under 23 and Senior A Teams replicate the Lucerne World Cup pressure in Penrith
In an effort to replicate the pressure of a World Cup Regatta, the NRCE initiated a National Race Series regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Center course. The aim: place the National Teams under enormous stress before they depart for Europe.
This year, the pre-departure camp and regatta for the Under 23 Team was held within the Youth Cup Regatta, an event that aims to build up the base of the sport. The regatta was held at a time replicating the International Regatta calendar.
“It's really hard to simulate the intense pressure a crew will feel at a World Cup, but we certainly tried,” said National High Performance Director, Andrew Matheson, and National Head Women’s coach Lyall McCarthy. “I'ts all about taking ourselves out of the comfort zone, and having to perform on a given day at a given time. We are very encouraged by the way both teams have embraced the need to be tough and focused on specific timelines.”
Peter Shakespear, National Head Coach for the Under 23 and Junior Teams said the results have been very encouraging. “It's not normal in Australia to have to race every day under the spotlight. Constant pressure and a real level of pride is at stake. We may be far away from our competitors for most of the season, but they shouldn’t think we are sitting still and waiting to get to Europe before we start planning our campaign."
National Men’s Head Coach, Noel Donaldson agreed. “We aim to build bullet proof athletes. Can do, will do, want to do. To help the development of that creed, racing needs to be realistic and tough to be of be of real benefit. I think this mini regatta has gone a long way towards replicating that aim.”
The National Under 23 Team departs for Racice in the Czech Republic on Monday 13 July and will immediately go into a final tapering program before the World Championship (23–26 July). The Senior A Team depart in early August for Poznan (24–30 Aug).
Men's A and U23 crews locked in battle:
Top to bottom: AM4x, BM4x, M4-
The Men’s 4- stretching out at SIRC
(L to R): Matt Ryan, James Marburg, Cameron McKenzie McHarg, Francis Hegerty
Women’s U23 and Senior A crews fight it out at SIRC
(L to R): BW4-: Pip Lindley, Lou Kilby, Jessica & Alexandra Hill
AW2x: Sal Kehoe and Pip Savage
ALW2x: Bronwen Watson and Alice MacNamara
AW2-: Sarah Cook and Kim Crow
The LTA4+ at full reach – and trying to gain National selection
(L to R): Alex Green, Carol Cooke, Peter Siri, Henry McPhillamy, Cox; Lisa Brown
Wednesday 8 July
Time out with Fergus Pragnell
With seven weeks remaining until the start of the 2009 World Rowing Championships, Fergus Pragnell is preparing to push himself on the world stage.
Pragnell, 23, grew up in the Canberra region and attended Canberra Grammar School, establishing himself as one of the school’s finest ever rowers. He moved onto Sydney University and has enjoyed equally strong success in his club colours.
In 2008 Pragnell narrowly missed out on the Beijing Olympics and instead rowed in the non-Olympic World Championships in the men’s coxed pair. He paired with Nick Baxter, coxed by Hugh Rawlinson, to win a bronze medal.
Pragnell was chosen as part of the men’s eight crew in 2009, marking his rise into the top echelon of Australian rowing. This came off the back of his second straight King’s Cup victory as part of the New South Wales crew.
1. How big was the disappointment of missing out on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games?
FP: I was very disappointed to miss out. It was difficult to take because the trialling was quite close and in the end and I was the only bow-sider at the trials to miss out. But if you had asked me in 2004 when I was working at Queanbeyan Powder Coating Services if I’d be disappointed about not making Beijing, the answer would have been completely different.
2. Did the bronze medal in the non-Olympic World Championships make up for this disappointment or just add to your drive for the next Olympic cycle?
FP: It definitely did not make up for missing the Olympics. I think that the experience of a World Championship event would be very different to that of an Olympic Games. It was, however, an experience which I enjoyed enormously and am grateful for. Nick, Hugh and I formed a great companionship. We had a fantastic coach and formidable training partners in the WL4X. Sitting in the stroke seat of the pair gave me a chance to make some technical changes which I think have helped me this season.
3. The men’s eight crew has now been training together for the last two months. How is its progress coming along?
FP: We had a great block of training to begin with in May, and the last two weeks have been even better. The time in between, however, we were set back by a few injuries which we are just overcoming now. Everyone is looking forward to some hard racing and warmer weather in Penrith this weekend.
4. Head Coach Noel Donaldson is looking after your crew in 2009. What is it like working under such a successful coach?
FP: Noel is a great leader with a hefty vault of anecdotes and narratives which he delves into frequently. The crew is learning from his understanding of how to row the eight, but also of how to be a good team. We are a far less experienced crew compared with those Noel has coached in the past, and I know we are keeping him busy.
5. Australia decided not to tour on the World Cup circuit in 2009, but have you been keeping a pretty close eye on proceedings? Who do you see as the strongest crews internationally this year?
FP: There haven’t been large fields in the M8+ in World Cups I and II so far. It seems that the few countries who have entered eights have been experimenting with younger athletes and different combinations from the Olympics. We know we are in a tough event and have tried to stay focused on achieving our own goals in training, rather than worry too much about our competition.
6. London 2012 is still just over three years away but is that your long term goal? What areas do you need to improve on to ensure you at the forefront of selectors’ minds?
FP: 2012 is most certainly my long term goal. I need to work on my consistency in racing and ergo testing, and also some body-compositional goals which I am overdue to achieve.
Monday 6 July
Henley Royal Regatta
Congratulations to Sydney Rowing Club who won the Wyfold Challenge Cup (M4-) at the Henley Royal Regatta. Melbourne Grammar School finished runners up in the Fawley Challenge Cup (JM4x) to complete a successful regatta for Australian crews.
For all results please visit www.hrr.co.uk.
Saturday 4 July
Request for tender proposals for travel services
Rowing Australia and its State and Territory Associations and affiliates are requesting tenders for the provision of their travel services on a national basis.
If you wish to submit a tender in response to the document (pdf, 248kb) please ensure that you address each of the alphanumeric points in order.
Completed tenders should be returned to the address provided no later than 5:00pm AEST on 24th July, 2009.
Click here (pdf, 248kb) for more information.
Friday 3 July
FISA media release:
Final stage of the 2009 Rowing World Cup attracts the best to Lucerne
Wednesday 1 July
The final stage of the 2009 Rowing World Cup taking place in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 10 to 12 July has attracted 39 nations and more than 650 rowing athletes.
This will be the last chance for athletes to test themselves internationally before the 2009 World Rowing Championships to be held in Poznan, Poland, at the end of August, and teams will make the most of the opportunity to fine-tune crew combinations and increase experience for some of the new team members.
Great Britain will be back with a vengeance. The British completely dominated the first Rowing World Cup regatta of the 2009 season in Banyoles, Spain. Although they also topped the series points table after the second stage of the Rowing World Cup, their medal tally fell short of Germany and New Zealand.
The men's pair will attract more than usual interest, as Great Britain's flagship crew of Andy Triggs Hodge and Peter Reed will aim to get back on top after failing to win a second gold in Munich. Their challenge will come from New Zealand's powerful new combination of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, winners of the second stage of the Rowing World Cup.
The men's eight has attracted all of the rowing powerhouses to Lucerne. Germany's new eights project will race for the first time along with the United States who, after many years have a new head coach, Tim McLaren. McLaren has put together a relatively untried line-up. Olympic Champions Canada also arrive with a new crew. Only Italy and Poland, who have already won medals this season, are a known quantity.
Overall, after two Rowing World Cup regattas this season, Germany looks to be moving up the ranks and challenging Great Britain at the top of the table. Poland is currently undergoing a rowing renaissance and has a large team boasting much potential. Going by their Munich performance, the relatively small but strong New Zealand contingent will likely gather a number of medals in the smaller boats.
Lucerne's Rotsee regatta course is cherished worldwide by rowers and spectators alike. The surroundings show nature's beauty at its best and the lake's 2,000m natural regatta course is consistently fair and calm.
Entries and the provisional timetable are available here from today.
A full Rowing World Cup event by event preview will be published on www.worldrowing.com on Wednesday 8 July.
The regatta Finals will be video-streamed live on Sunday 12 July and can be accessed through the www.worldrowing.com website.
The Rowing World Cup series was launched in 1997 and includes all 14 Olympic boat classes. The overall Rowing World Cup winners are determined after a series of three regattas. Germany has dominated the series since its beginning twelve years ago, but Great Britain has led the points table for the past two years. This year, the three stages of the series are held in Banyoles, Spain (29–31 May), Munich, Germany (19–21 June); and the final in Lucerne, Switzerland (10–12 July).
Visit www.worldrowing.com, the official website of the International Rowing Federation and the Rowing World Cup, for a full list of entries, a timetable as well as an extensive boat class preview. During racing, this website will provide live scoring, interviews, photographs, press releases, start lists and full results.
For more information - FISA media contact:
Marion Gallimore, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: +41 21 617 83 73 or direct +41 21 612 02 26, mobile +41 79 706 72 55
E-mail: marion.gallimore@fisa.org
Friday 3 July
Australian boats race into quarter-finals at Henley
Australian crews have had a mixed day at the Henley Royal Regatta with a number of crews progressing to the quarter final stages, but some crews being eliminated.
The Melbourne University Men’s Eight crew has made it through to the final eight in the Temple Challenge Cup and will face Kent School from the USA.
Sydney Rowing Club secured victory in the Wyfold Challenge Cup (Open M4-) and will race against Maidstone (UK) tonight.
Yasmin Burraston raced well along the river course to book her place in the quarter-finals of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup, while Sydney University’s Terrence Alfred and Brodie Buckland also qualified with a victory in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup.
The joint University of Queensland and Cambridge crew was eliminated from the Visitors’ Challange Cup (Intermediate M4-), while Mosman Rowing Club was eliminated from the Brittania Challenge Cup (M4+).
Melbourne University, Melbourne Grammar School and Sydney Rowing club crews will all begin their campaigns tonight in the Fawley Challenge Cup (JM4x).
Thursday 2 July
Vale Milton A. Francis
Rowing Australia would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Olympic rower Milton Francis after he passed away.
Milton represented Australia at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games as part of the men’s eight, rowing in the bow seat.
Milton represented the West Australian Rowing Club and was an integral part of the club over an 11-year period during the 1950s and 1960s.
He was part of two King’s Cup-winning crews with his first coming in 1955 in the 5 seat, and his second in 1960 when he rowed bow seat. Milton was the only ‘Wests’ member in the 1955 winning King’s Cup crew.
The Victorian Olympic Council has offered the use of the Olympic Flag and other support to Milton’s family.
The 1955 West Australian King's Cup-winning crew;
Milton Francis is front row centre
Wednesday 1 July
NCAS accreditation fees
As Rowing Australia is currently working to improve its service and commitment to coach education it has been necessary to implement an increase in fees associated with accreditation.
This increase will occur as of July 1st 2009 for all accreditation, both new or renewal. The new fee will be $40 for the four years of a NCAS coach accreditation. There has not been an increase in these fees for 5 years.
Wednesday 1 July
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS NETWORK WCSN.COM.AU - WCSN.CO.NZ |
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Rowing Australia and the State and Territory Rowing Associations are delighted to announce that they have negotiated an extension to the special $39.95 WCSN annual subscription rate for the rowing community. For the price of one coffee a month ($3.33) you will receive:
- Coverage of World Cup 3 from Lucerne (10–12 July)
- Coverage of the Senior World Championships from Poznan (23–30 August)
- Coverage of other World Championship sports i.e sailing, athletics and swimming
- A $2.95 donation will be made to the club you nominate at the time of subscription
WCSN also offer some great FREE rowing content such as news updates, highlights clips and a weekly podcast, which will regularly feature Olympic Team Manager Ray Ebert who will provide updates on the preparations and expectations in the lead up to the World Championships.
This offer is available exclusively through the Rowing Australia website. Click the subscribe now button below to take advantage of this fantastic offer.
Wednesday 1 July
RA media release:
Australian crews chase titles at Henley
Eight Australian rowing crews will begin their challenge for silverware tonight at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England.
The Henley Royal Regatta was first staged in 1839 and is held along the River Thames in Buckinghamshire.
Unlike multi-lane international regattas, Henley still operates a knock-out draw with only two boats racing in each heat over the 2112m course.
Melbourne University Boat Club (3) and Sydney Rowing Club (2) have sent multiple crews to compete in 2009, while there are also entries from Melbourne Grammar School, Mosman Rowing Club and Sydney University Boat Club.
468 crews submitted entries for the 19 events with the first round held tonight and the finals to take place on Sunday 5 July.
The draw and results are available from www.hrr.co.uk while there will be live web streaming available at www.regattaradio.co.uk
For more information please call David Polglase on 0401 453 041
