WAIS Olympians Win National Medals

Published On: 6 March 2009

Todd Skipworth

WAIS rowing athletes have won medals today at the 2009 Australian Rowing Championships at Tasmania’s Lake Barrington with Todd Skipworth claiming gold and Jeremy Stevenson winning silver.

Both Skipworth and Stevenson represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games – with Skipworth a member of the men’s lightweight four and Stevenson a member of the men’s eight.

Skipworth claimed victory in today’s final of the men’s lightweight single scull, leading from start to finish in a comfortable time of 7:19.29min ahead of Queensland’s Robert Hoyes and New South Welshman Hugh McLeod.

Stevenson qualified fastest for the final of the men’s single scull, in a talented field that included David Crawshay, a member of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games men’s double scull crew that won gold.

The final lived up to the pre-race hype with Stevenson setting a quick early pace before Crawshay moved from third at the 1500m mark to claim the win in 7:22.34min. Stevenson took silver, one boat length behind, whilst Italian Niccolo Mornatti held off defending champion in the event, Daniel Noonan (NSW) to claim the bronze medal.