Media releases and reports
Tuesday 1 June
Silver lining for newest Australian crew
Grant Bailey (NSW) and Kathryn Ross (VIC) celebrated their international rowing debut as a crew by claiming the silver medal last weekend at World Cup 1 in Bled, Slovenia.
Bailey and Ross, competing in the Trunk and Arms Double Scull, showed their continued improvement as they crossed the line behind the 2009 World Champion Ukraine crew.
The newly formed Australian crew was able to hold off a mid-race challenge from Italy, who claimed the bronze medal, as all competitors battled the rainy conditions.
After the race Bailey reflected on his first international competition.
"As soon as I heard the finish horn I was frantically looking around to see our position, and when I realised we finished in second, I was over the moon!" Bailey said. “"I was nervous and excited to have a chance to potentially take my first international medal, and I just wanted to get out there and show the world what I was capable of."
Ben Houlison finished fifth in the Arms and Shoulders Men’s Single Scull to round off the Australian performances.
All three rowers will now return to Australia and begin their preparations for the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand, 31 October–7 November.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the Australian Senior A team will depart for Europe and World Cup 2 and 3 on June 13.
For more information please call
David Polglase on 0401 453 041
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Monday 31 May
Bailey wins maiden silver
The stage was set for a big afternoon of adaptive rowing finals at World Cup 1 in Bled, Slovenia. After a one-hour rain delay, the athletes pushed off the pontoons and rowed up to the start in still, but wet conditions.
The first Australian to compete was Ben Houlison (NSW) in the Arms and Shoulders Men's Single Scull (ASM1x). Ben rowed his way to a fifth place in the A Final behind Beijing 2008 Paralympic gold medalist and 2009 World Champion Tom Aggar.
"I was happy with my race as I stuck to the race plan, but unfortunately the outcome was not what was desired. I was able to take some positives out of the race, and I know what needs to be worked on for the World Championships later this year," Houlison said.
Fellow Australians Grant Bailey and Kathryn Ross in the Trunk and Arms Double Scull (TA2x) were in the next final to be raced.
"I was nervous and excited to have a chance to potentially take my first international medal, and I just wanted to get out there and show the world what I was capable of," Bailey commented prior to the Final.
After holding off a strong surge through the 500m mark by the Italian crew, the Australian TA2x rowed gallantly to finish in the silver medal position behind the 2009 World Championship crew of Ukraine.
"As soon as I herd the finish horn I was frantically looking around to see our position, and when I realized we finished in second, I was over the moon!" Bailey stated on the victory pontoon after receiving his silver medal with partner Kathryn Ross.
Grant Bailey and Kathryn Ross with their silver medals
AIS/National Adaptive Rowing Head Coach, Pedro Albisser was pleased with the results.
"The speed of both crews was what I had expected, and I was extremely pleased to have both crews in the A Final, and for the double to have the success that they had. The competition has definitely increased following the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, with a higher grade of athletes racing each year," Albisser stated.
The Australian Team will now return to Australia to resume training for the August selection regatta, in an attempt to be named in the 2010 World Championship Senior A Squad for New Zealand in November.
The team would like to take this opportunity to thank the Australian Institute of Sport staff at the European training centre in Varese, Italy and for stand-in team physiotherapist Neil Maclean-Martin who toured with the squad for the regatta.
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Saturday 29 May
World Cup 1 – Bled, Slovenia
The 14th year of the Rowing World Cup series got off to a slow start in Bled, Slovenia, with the Thursday afternoon adaptive rowing races being cancelled due to strong winds, and unsafe water.
The Australian Adaptive Rowing Team awoke with clam conditions on Friday morning, to prepare for the mid-afternoon heats. Under the snow-capped peaks of the mountain ranges surrounding the Bled rowing course, Ben Houlison (NSW) followed up from his bronze medal at the 2009 World Rowing Championships with a solid performance, comfortably winning Heat 3 of the Adaptive Men's Arms and Shoulders Single Scull (ASM1x) by 10 sec.
"I was really happy with my consistent 250m split times, which has put me in a great position for tomorrow's semi-final. Coming first in my heat gives me great confidence moving into the semis, which I hope to carry onto the final on Saturday night," Houlison stated following his race.
Fellow Australian Team members, Kathryn Ross (VIC) and new comer Grant Bailey (NSW), found themselves in a race for lanes following two crew withdrawals from their event. In the Trunk and Arms Mixed Double Scull (TA2x) race, Ross and Bailey raced powerfully to second place in their first international event as a duo, 4 seconds behind 2009 World Champions, Ukraine.
"I was happy to finally get my first race against other crews under my belt, as you can only race against the clock so many times in training," Bailey said.
His experienced partner Ross (2008 Beijing Paralympic silver medalist) was also pleased with the result.
"It was a great first hit-out, and a fantastic learning experience both for Grant and for myself as this was my first real international race in the double following the final in Beijing, and we both know that we can only improve from here."
Adaptive AIS/National Head Coach Pedro Albisser was equally impressed with the results of his team.
"Both crews had good solid performances. The double took some great steps forward in their development as a crew, and Ben continues to impress with every international regatta."
Following the cancellation of Thursday evening's opening races, Albisser praised his athletes ability to cope with the ever-changing program.
"Both crews are in good spirits, and are remaining level headed about the conditions and re-scheduling. We have been fortunate to have knowledgeable support staff to provide alternative training programs off the water, which has kept the athletes focused and on track for great performances."
Houlison will race in Semifinal A at 09:10 Slovenian time. A top-three place will progress him straight to the A Final at 18:00. The double of Ross and Bailey will compete in the A Final of the TA2x at 18:15.
For more information, and live race tracking and commentary, please refer to www.worldrowing.com.
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