WAIS Rowers Claim Gold at NSW State Champs

Published On: 16 February 2012

WAIS rowers Hannah Vermeersch and Alex Hagen have warmed up for the Australian Rowing Championships in March with a successful campaign at the NSW State Championships.

With the Champion Lakes course in Armadale set to play host to Australia’s finest rowing talent from March 3-11, Vermeersch and Hagen combined to win gold in the women’s U23 pair and as members of the women’s four in open competition.

The WAIS duo also claimed silver in the open age women’s pair, giving them a good base of preparation ahead of the home national championships.

WAIS Head Rowing Coach Lincoln Handley said the NSW State Championships offered the perfect platform for his group to prepare with race conditions.

“We were able to expose developing athletes to racing opportunities in the lead up to the National Championships and trial potential interstate combinations for the same purpose,” Handley said.

Their was also silver medals at the NSW State titles for WAIS athletes Hannah Jansen in the open lightweight double and for the combination of Tom Meares and Tim Widdicombe in the open lightweight four.