Media Release - Stars shine on opening day of trials

Rowing Australia Media Release: Stars shine on opening day of trials

Thursday 15 December 2011

Australia’s most decorated rowers have shown their early intent on the opening day of the first round of the 2012 national selection trials.

Following a 5km time trial in the morning on Nepean River, the 66 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls moved across to the Sydney International Regatta Centre to complete one 2km race in the afternoon.

2008 Olympic Games gold medallist David Crawshay (VIC) led the way in the men’s single scull, claiming victory ahead of Chris Morgan (SA) and Jared Bidwell (QLD).

Crawshay won gold in Beijing in the men’s double scull with Scott Brennan (TAS) and the duo look set to be given the chance to defend their Olympic crown next year in London.

Crawshay and Brennan finished fourth at the world championships this year in Bled, Slovenia, just under a year after Brennan made his return to rowing following a break from the sport.

Kim Crow (VIC) showed her prowess in taking out the women’s single scull, with the Victorian winning ahead of Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Brooke Pratley (NSW).

Crow has combined with Tasmanian Kerry Hore to win silver at the last two world championships in the women’s double scull.

The women’s sculling ranks have been bolstered by the returns of 2004 Athens Olympic Games bronze medallist Dana Faletic (TAS) and 2008 Beijing representative Pippa Savage (QLD), who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn (VIC) combined with partner Joshua Dunkley Smith (VIC) to sweep to victory in the men’s pair in a time of 6:20.59.

Ginn and Dunkley Smith, who earlier in the day had recorded the best time in the 5km time trial, again looked smooth across the water as they led home the talented field of Olympic aspirants.

Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (VIC) and James Marburg (VIC) finished in second place, while Sam Loch (NSW) and Francis Hegerty (NSW) claimed third place.

Duncan Free (QLD) made a successful return from his broken femur, completing both the 5km time trial and 2km race.

Free, who was knocked off his bicycle by a car while training in the Gold Coast in May, competed in a single scull today, but will move into the rotations of the men’s coxless fours over the weekend.

Friday morning racing will see a shift from smaller boats to bigger boats with the men’s sweep squad racing in coxless fours, while the women’s and men’s scullers will race in double sculls.

The final trials for the 2012 Australian team will be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from March 23 – April 1 next year.

Australia’s crews will then be selected to compete at world cup regattas in Lucerne, Switzerland (May 23-25) and Munich, Germany (15-17 June) before the final crews are nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee on June 22.

Media Contact: David Polglase 0401 453 041