Olympic Fate Rests on Regatta of Death

A competition coined the “Regatta of Death” might on the face of it seem extreme, but for crews yet to qualify Olympic boats for Rio, the symbolism probably isn’t lost.

For Western Australian Institute of Sport scholarship athletes Rhys Grant and Alex Hagan, the final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland represents sporting sudden death, with the May 22-24 competition set to determine whether they have the opportunity to compete for Australia at August’s Olympics in the men’s single scull and women’s eight respectively.

Nearly 400 athletes from 47 countries will take part in the regatta, with the men’s single scull set to be the most keenly contested event of the lot.

Rhys Grant, who is eyeing a maiden Olympic berth, will require a top three finish in Lucerne to secure Australia a boat for Rio. It will be no mean feat, with the field also including; Belgium’s Hannes Obreno who recently finished fourth at the European Rowing Championships, three-time Olympian Cedric Berrest of France and Denmark’s Sverri Nielsen.

Alex Hagan and the crew of the Australian women’s eight will require a top two finish in order to qualify for Rio. Australia will face competition from; China, Germany, the Netherlands and Romania, with all countries boasting past pedigree in the event.

The Australian men’s eight face a similarly difficult route to Rio, with the squad needing to secure a top two finish, coming up against; Spain, Italy, Poland and traditional event heavyweight, the USA.

The men’s eight squad features West Australian athlete Josh Hicks.

Further details and results from Lucerne during the Regatta, can be sourced via the following link.