WAIS Rowers Compete in Nationals

Published On: 2 March 2010

Amber Bradley in training on Canning River

The WAIS rowing squad has commenced its medal assault at the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships and Interstate Regatta in Victoria despite ordinary racing conditions at Lake Nagambie.

Today’s heats werecentredaround the Open Men’s and Women’s Double Scull’s events,with many of Australia’s elite rowers looking to progress through the week.

Australian representatives Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Kim Crow (VIC), battled with Kerry Hore (TAS) and Sarah Cook (NSW) from start to finish, qualifying fastest for the final in a time of 7:34.27. The combination of WAIS athlete and dual Olympian Amber Bradley (WA) and Amy Ives (NSW) took out the second heat.

The Men’s Double Scull’s saw the Victorian pair of Olympic gold winner, David Crawshay and Beijing Olympian Karsten Forsterling set the fastest time in the heats of 6.59:04. World Championship Silver medallists, Dan Noonan (NSW) and Nick Hudson (NSW) also progressed to the finals after winning heat number two.

The repechages of the open men’s single sculls were hotly contested with, Jared Bidwell (QLD) and Nick Hudson (VIC) both qualifying for tomorrow’s semi finals alongside WAIS rower David Kelly.

Australian representatives Natalie Bale (WAIS), Laura Osti (SA) and Kim Brown (QLD) all progressed through to tomorrow’s semi-finals of the Women’s Single Scull. This event is sure to be a highlight with a strong field led by Pippa Savage (QLD) all looking to make the final on Friday.

Tom Larkins and Josh Dunkley -Smith led fellow 2009 World Championship competitors James Marburg and Cameron McKenzie-McHarg in qualifying for the Men’s Coxless Pairs final on Friday.

Beijing Olympian and WAIS scholarship holder Todd Skipworth won his heat in the men’s light weight single and is tipped as the man to beat later in the week.

WAIS duo Ross Brown and Perry Ward have qualified for the final of the men’s lightweight pair were they are considered a strong medal chance. Tasmania stand in the way of gold with the Apple Isle rowers posting a heat win nearly two seconds quicker than the WA pair.

David Watts and Matt Cochran won their heat in convincing fashion in the junior men’s pair. Another WAIS junior in Hannah Vermeersch teamed with a Swan Rowing Club member to win their heat in the second best time overall in the women’s junior pair.

– with Rowing Australia