Strathclyde, Scotland
Australian Team Results
Day I: Thursday 26 July
BW4- Heat 2 AUS
Elizabeth Alderman
Megan Bagworth
Emily Rose
Sascha Lahey
1st
Time: 7:06.72
1->FA, 2..->R
BLM2- Heat 1 AUS
Nicholas Baker
Michael Egan
4th
Time: 7:13.45
1->FA, 2..->R
BLM4x Heat 1 AUS
Hugh McLeod
Blair Tunevitsch
Darryn Purcell
Perry Ward
3rd
Time: 6:20.53
1->FA, 2..->R
BM1x Heat 1 AUS
Blair Brown
4th
Time: 7:25.11
1->SA/B, 2..->R
BM4- Heat 2 AUS
Ned Kinnear
Bryn Coudraye
Nicholas Andrew
Matthew Bolt
2nd
Time: 6:24.85
1-3->SA/B, 4..->R
BLW2x Heat 1 AUS
Carly Cottam
Ingrid Fenger
5th
Time: 7:43.30
1-2->SA/B, 3..->R
BLM4- Heat 2 AUS
Thomas Bertrand
Maxwell Sondermeyer
Cameron Girdlestone
Jonothan Hookway
2nd
Time: 6:23.67
1-2->SA/B, 3..->R
BW4x Heat 1 AUS
Renee Kirby
Emma McCarthy
Charlotte Walters
Lisa Szatsznajder
3rd
Time: 6:56.41
1->FA, 2..->R
BM4x Heat 3 AUS
Thomas Swann
Sam Renton
Danjels Reedman
Steve Fletcher
1st
Time: 6:11.68
1-2->SA/B, 3..->R
BM8+ Heat 1 AUS
Andrew Conolly
Richard Allsop
Blair Brown
John Linke
Edward Boyce
James Goswell
Thomas Larkins
Terrence Alfred
Toby Lister
1st
Time: 5:58.53
1-3->SA/B, 4..->R
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Day II: Friday 27 July
BLM2- Repechage 1 AUS
Nicholas Baker
Michael Egan
3rd
Time: 7:02.85
1-2->FA, 3..->FB
BLM4x Repechage 2 AUS
Hugh McLeod
Blair Tunevitsch
Darryn Purcell
Perry Ward
1st
Time: 6:13.12
1-2->FA, 3..->FB
BM1x Repechage 3 AUS
Blair Brown
3rd
Time: 7:27.85
1-2->SA/B, 3..->SC/D
BLW2x Repechage 2 AUS
Carly Cottam
Ingrid Fenger
2nd
Time: 7:31.98
1-3->SA/B, 4..->FC
BW4x Repechage 2 AUS
Renee Kirby
Emma McCarthy
Charlotte Walters
Lisa Szatsznajder
1st
Time: 6:44.59
1-2->FA, 3..->FB
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Day III: Saturday 28 July
BM1x Semifinal C/D 1 AUS
Blair Brown
3rd
Time: 7:22.39
1-3->FC, 4..->FD
BLM2- Final B AUS
Nicholas Baker
Michael Egan
1st
Time: 6:57.74
BM4- Semifinal A/B 2 AUS
Ned Kinnear
Bryn Coudraye
Nicholas Andrew
Matthew Bolt
2nd
Time: 6:06.82
1-3->FA, 4..->FB
BLW2x Semifinal A/B 1 AUS
Carly Cottam
Ingrid Fenger
6th
Time: 7:28.13
1-3->FA, 4..->FB
BLM4- Semifinal A/B 2 AUS
Thomas Bertrand
Maxwell Sondermeyer
Cameron Girdlestone
Jonothan Hookway
4th
Time: 6:05.75
1-3->FA, 4..->FB
BM4x Semifinal A/B 1 AUS
Thomas Swann
Sam Renton
Danjels Reedman
Steve Fletcher
1st
Time: 5:53.21
1-3->FA, 4..->FB
BM8+ Semifinal A/B 1 AUS
Andrew Conolly
Richard Allsop
Michael Estens
John Linke
Edward Boyce
James Goswell
Thomas Larkins
Terrence Alfred
Toby Lister
2nd
Time: 5:40.10
1-3->FA, 4..->FB
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Day IV: Sunday 29 July
BM1x Final C AUS
Blair Brown
2nd
Time: 7:12.58
BLW2x Final B AUS
Carly Cottam
Ingrid Fenger
4th
Time: 7:18.75
BLM4- Final B AUS
Thomas Bertrand
Maxwell Sondermeyer
Cameron Girdlestone
Jonothan Hookway
3rd
Time: 6:10.30
BW4- Final A AUS
Elizabeth Alderman
Megan Bagworth
Emily Rose
Sascha Lahey
2nd
Time: 6:47.43
BLM4x Final A AUS
Hugh McLeod
Blair Tunevitsch
Darryn Purcell
Perry Ward
4th
Time: 6:00.47
BM4- Final A AUS
Ned Kinnear
Bryn Coudraye
Nicholas Andrew
Matthew Bolt
6th
Time: 6:11.75
BW4x Final A AUS
Renee Kirby
Emma McCarthy
Charlotte Walters
Lisa Szatsznajder
2nd
Time: 6:33.38
BM4x Final A AUS
Thomas Swann
Sam Renton
Danjels Reedman
Steve Fletcher
3rd
Time: 5:49.71
BM8+ Final A AUS
Andrew Conolly
Richard Allsop
Michael Estens
John Linke
Edward Boyce
James Goswell
Thomas Larkins
Terrence Alfred
Toby Lister
3rd
Time: 5:34.73
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Reports from Noel Donaldson, RA High Performance Director
Day IV: Sunday 29 July
Finals day started with some blue skies but with the familiar cross tail wind. Overnight the semi final performances were evaluated and plans put in place for creating the best race plans for the finals.
The first Australian crew to race was Blair Brown in the Men’s Single Scull C Final. In an unusual circumstance the C Final was a battle between lanes 1 and 6, normally the least ranked qualifiers. Fortunately Blair was one of these and he raced his best race for the regatta and possibly of his sculling career. He was more patient out of the start and then a good push to the lead. Although challenged in the third 500m he maintained good form to finish in a comfortable 2nd position and 14th overall.
The remaining B Finals were rowed and Australia was in the lightweight Women’s Double Scull. After struggling in the semi final today’s race was another chance to see what they could do. Like Blair they had their best race of the regatta. Settling to the new seating and rowing with more length and composure they were better placed early and with much less fade finished in 4th position to be 10th overall.
Next away in the B Final was the lightweight Men’s Four who narrowly missed the final due to their slow starting. The B Final had plenty of similarity in race structure and again the boys had to work their way back through the field with some very good middle distance race pace. Not able to make up all the leeway they finished in 3rd position to be 9th overall. No doubt a great development year for this crew.
Then the A Finals began.
First up the Women's Coxless Four. In what was a great race to watch in regards the tactics and performance of the leading three crews it was Australia who took a very narrow lead through the third 500m. The Aussies were able to gradually work away from GBR the other heat winners but when the Italians made a big move through the last 500m the race was really on for gold and silver. To the Italians' credit they won the sprint and the Aussies had to be content with second. Rowing with good length and rhythm should give these girls a springboard to future success. Well done to Quinny and the girls.
The lightweight Men’s Quad Scull who earned their final position after winning the repechage could not match the early speed of Italy and France but locked themselves into a battle with the other three crews DEN, GBR, GER. It was evident at the half way stage that only a bronze medal was possible. A sound third 500m where they lost minimal ground to the 3rd placed DEN enabled a big challenge in the last 500m. Not unlike last year they continued the big sprint and unfortunately with 50m to go they lost an oar from the hand, spoiling any chance of a late charge for bronze and finished in 4th place.
An hour later the Men’s Coxless Four went out to battle with a very steady wind continuing to blow down the Strathclyde Loch. The boys started well and held 3rd position to the 750m mark when they began to struggle. Gradually they were passed and it was evident with 500m to go they were out of medal contention and they finished in 6th position. This undoubtedly hurt if you saw the look on their faces after the race.
The Women’s Quad had an opportunity to do some homework on their race plan after qualifying for the final on Friday. They realized they could not play as much catch up and prepared to be closer to the action in the final. This plan worked and by mid way through the second 500m they were in a bunch of crews trying to row back to the Romanians. With 500m to go there were many scenarios that could have unfolded with what seemed like the top 4 crews but GBR wanted to make that 5 crews. Under pressure Romania folded to a crab leaving the USA and Australia to fight it out for first while Germany and Great Britain duelled only inches behind for the bronze. In the end it was USA, Australia and GBR who got the medals in that order. Tremendous excitement filled the Australian camp with two more crews to compete.
The Men’s Quad had not put a foot wrong all regatta and were the pace setters for the team leading into the competition. Germany had made themselves favourites with Australia not far behind. But it was the French from lane 1 who decided that it was better to fly than die and fly they did leading the race for all but the last part. The Germans were able to be closer to the French and this enabled them to eventually lead while the Aussies kept making up ground but they were unable to catch the French on the line for silver and settled for a well-earned bronze medal. Jason Lane received praise from his crew after the race and having also assisted Michael Quinn to develop the women’s four to silver he can be a proud man tonight.
It had been a while since the Aussies had won an eights medal and in a field that comprised 6 crews all with genuine chances for a medal it was going to be tight in the final race of the day. Having told a few home truths overnight in a quest to determine the most effective race plan the Aussies rowed to that plan and barely flinched when under extreme pressure in the last ¼ of the race. Coxswain Toby Lister called the effort up after 900 metres and this gave a little breathing space except for the excited Estonians who had led from the early part of the race. The race commentator, the supporters and coaches on the bike path all kept wondering who was in what position as the final pushes came and went from everywhere, but the Australians held firm and earned a fantastic bronze medal. Well done to Phil, Mark and the crew.
The big boats certainly carried the day but in the end there were 21 athletes of a team of 38 who won one of the four medals collected by the team. With the LM4x in 4th place it was a sound return and continues to show how important the national development program is on the world stage.
Thank you to the coaches and team staff lead by Michael Smith (Manager) and John Driessen (Head Coach). Great work by Oli, Krys and Urs. They all have the job of keeping the team under control at the regatta party. Thanks to all the parents and friends who travelled far and wide and who were a big part in the fundraising requirements of the team.
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Day III: Saturday 28 July
Saturday’s racing brought similar on water conditions to Friday with a strong cross tail blowing from early in the day. A few “white caps” towards the finish but some sun and no rain.
The Men’s Sculler Blair Brown was first to race in the Semi C/D. He was again away well and today took the race further than the heat and rep. Leading for all but the last few strokes when a dual attack from SLO and AUT overtook Blair. With the second semi similarly close we look forward to an exciting C Final and if Blair can manage the last part of the race he is a definite chance.
The lightweight Men’s Pair of Michael Egan and Nick Baker responded with great character in comfortably winning the B Final having led from the first stroke. This is the character that will help other crews realize the value of maintaining determination right to the end.
Australian Under 23 selector and FISA Youth Commissioner Barb Fenner called in to the tent at the lunch break and said “it is pleasing to see a record number of entries in the men’s events whilst there is some disappointment that there are fewer women’s entries. The Scottish Organising Committee led by Iain Sommerside have been wonderful and responded to all requests to make the event as good as possible for the athletes.”
The afternoon racing saw some very exciting semi finals always some of the best races of any international regatta as crews desperately try to qualify for the A Final. The Australian results returned 3 of 5 crews qualifying for the A Final, stories full of agony and ecstasy.
The Zoltan Shepherd coached Men’s Four of Matt Bolt, Nick Andrew, Bryn Coudraye and Ned Kinnear started well and held a solid second position throughout. The German four got away in the middle of the race and the Aussies staved off the late challenge from ROM and ITA vying for the all important 3rd position. With their heat winners Serbia winning the other semi final the Aussie boys have a chance for a medal.
The lightweight Women’s Double Scull realizing their backs were to the wall to qualify changed the seating and Carlie Cottam moved to the stroke seat with Ingrid Fenger behind her. A promising start soon turned to disappointment and the Aussie girls could not find any new form and will need to re assess for the B Final. “Nothing ventured – nothing gained!”
Giving away a reasonable margin through the 500m mark the lightweight Men’s Four of Jono Hookway, Cam Girdlestone, Max Sondermeyer and Tommy Bertrand continued to work through the field in the last 1500m but could not catch ITA (2nd) and FRA (3rd) missing out from qualifying by 0.49 and only 0.66 from 2nd. Head Coach and crew coach John Driessen stood in bewilderment for a few moments reflecting what could have been. Considering the majority of this crew are a year out of Junior and most sculled domestically they have made great progress.
The Men’s Quad continued their winning ways with an all the way win in their semi final. Coached by Jason Lane and stroked by Steve Fletcher, supported by Danjels Reedman, Sam Renton and Tom Swann the quad will need to be on their game against the Germans who won as comfortably the other semi final but to this point they have performed with great aplomb.
The final Australian crew was the Men’s Eight in the first heat. A small margin went Australia’s way early but the Germans powered away in the third 500. Several shipwrecks in the Aussie boat in the rough tail conditions did not help the cause but with sufficient leeway they could comfortably hold off the Polish and Italian charge to finish in 2nd position.
Of the ten entries 6 crews will race in the A Finals.
The A Finals will commence at 11:18 am but the rest of the program is brought forward to avoid the predicted rough conditions later in the afternoon.
The spirits remain high but with great realism of the task at hand.
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Day II: Friday 27 July
The expected inclement weather continued and the hard working coaches morning began by over tarping the team tent. Solid cross tail conditions prevailed all morning with greater consistency than Day 1 of racing.
Although a much better row than the heat the lightweight Men’s Pair still struggled to put the race structures together, yesterday slow out of the blocks, today off like “cut cats” but then lacking in rhythm. The good was that they never gave up keeping the rate. They have the potential to win the B Final.
The lightweight Men’s Quad Scull took a good step in their campaign by comfortably winning their repechage, although for much of the race they sat alongside GBR. From lane 2 or 5 in the final they will need to not give any leeway to their opposition in order to gain a medal.
Blair Brown in the single was in a good position early but could not keep the rate and the pace of the more experienced scullers in the second half of the race. He will now race in Semi Finals C/D for positions 13 onwards. His team contribution continues to be invaluable.
The girls lightweight double and heavyweight quad were the last two crews to race and they gave the supporters plenty to both cheer and worry about. The lightweights were much improved from the heat, more speed out and more consistency throughout. For a while there were 4 crews locked together for the 3 qualifying places with Australia in 4th when the Japanese crabbed almost ensuring Australia of a qualifying position. With a well timed sprint they overtook the Swedes to finish in 2nd place behind the Swiss. They need to continue to show improvement to make the A Final but as reported yesterday they have the ability.
The quad have now featured in two of the closest races of the regatta. Knowing they had the slightly harder repechage the nail biting started at the 1000m mark when the leading three crews were pushing for 2 qualifying positions and Australia were 3rd. The gaps between the Dutch and French kept inching together the longer the race was rowed. David Palfreyman reported from the New Wave tent 100m from the finish that all three bows were changing their positions each stroke but with the momentum Australia’s way they were able to get over the line 1st. The unlucky French finished 0.14 out of qualifying.
A formidable sight was anguish and joy on coach Brenton Terrell’s face. Looking at the scoreboard he saw Australia’s name in 3rd position just as the race finished but when reminded that it still had the 1500m times up. A moment later it turned to joy when the finish results went up. Close behind in joy was the team doctor whose daughter stroked the boat!!
Three crews are now in the A Finals (WB4-, WB4x, MLB4x) and five crews will race semi finals tomorrow (MB8+, MB4-, MB4x, LMB4-, WLB2x). Racing starts at 9:30am Scotland time (6:30pm EST, 4:30pm Perth) and concludes with the eights semi’s at 3:00pm
The team will have a gathering tonight to set the plans in place for continuing the finals assault. Again the regatta standard is high with no easy races.
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Day I: Thursday 26 July
Although overcast with intermittent showers the rowing conditions had little effect on today’s races. The wind direction and speed varied constantly and with random heat draws the time comparison’s between races will have had less relevance. The racing was very reflective of a heats day with some crews performing well and others definitely needing the hit out.
Australia started the day well with a good win to the Women’s Coxless Four. After an even start they moved away through the middle of the course to record an easy win. They progress as the first Australian crew through to the A Final.
Next away were the lightweight Men’s Pair of Michael Egan and Nick Baker. They started slowly and had their own race for the third place but an excellent finish by the Hungarians saw Australia finish in 4th position. They will go to the repechage tomorrow morning.
The lightweight Men’s Quad Scull with one change from the bronze medal crew from 2006 found that each year brings a new competition. They were slow out of the start and into a solid headwind misjudged their rhythm. They will learn from this and remain confident of progressing positively throughout the competition.
Super sub Blair Brown raced both the single and the eight today due to the illness to Mitchell Estens from the eight. He has been in great form in the training camp starting his races but he toned it down a bit today and paid a price leaving a mid race stoush against the GBR sculler for 3rd and 4th position. He will progress to the repechage tomorrow.
The all South Australian Men’s Coxless Four lead early but finished a length astern of the Serbians to comfortably qualify direct to the semi final. From the results the semi’s will be great races and if our crew continue to show the improvement since arrival in Strathclyde they have a good chance of qualifying for the A Final.
The lightweight Women’s Double Scull of Ingrid Fenger and Carlie Cottam raced in bursts and although not in poor form they finished last in their heat. They will need to push harder and for longer bursts if they are to progress through the reps to the Semi A/B round. They have the ability to do this.
Giving away plenty of clear water to the Swiss the lightweight Men’s Coxless Four missed out winning their heat by half a second. They showed great composure to first row through the French then head out after the Swiss. They can be very encouraged by this first race and they progress direct to the semi final.
The Women’s Quad Scull were in perhaps the best race of the day with four crews overlapping the entire way. First it was the French leading then Germany moving up with Australia and Romania having a side by side battle. The French dropping to 4th in the run to the line, Germany winning and Australia in 3rd place. The repechages will be very hard fought affairs.
The last two crews to race were the Men’s Quad Scull and Men’s Eight. Both crews recorded wins in their heat mostly doing it by being well set and in front early in the race. The push by the quad at the 1000m was very effective and this is a continuation of the form they showed on the Varese training camp. The eight minus Estens and with Brown rowing the single two hours earlier led almost from the first stroke. The GB crew had a real go to pass our crew in the last 750m but the Aussies were able to hold on by a second. They move directly to the semi final.
3 wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, 2 fourths and a fifth was the return for the day.
Writing this report there is very steady rain that will make the attractive surroundings wet under foot.
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