Rowing Australia Media Release Silver lining for Men’s Four on penultimate day of finals The Men’s Four has added another medal to Australia’s tally on the penultimate day of competition at the 2013 World Rowing Championships in Chungju, South Korea. Only four Australian crews were in action on a day that saw mixed results in cloudy and humid conditions. The new look Australian Four contains two silver medallists from the 2012 London Olympics in Josh Dunkley-Smith and Will Lockwood, who were joined by youngsters Spencer Turrin and Alex Lloyd. In what was an extremely close race, with just 0.63 seconds separating gold and silver, Australia can look forward to a bright future with this new combination. Also in action today were the Lightweight Women’s Double Scull, Women’s Quad Scull and Women’s Pair, all contesting B Finals. Drew Ginn, Head Coach-Integration, was happy with today’s performances – “The Men’s Four was oh so close! They did a really good job in setting themselves up to win, they just couldn’t get it across the line. They improved throughout the regatta and that’s all we can ask.” “The women’s crews also did well in their respective B Finals – it’s good to see them finishing off the regatta well, though they will be disappointed they didn’t make the A Final.” An overview of the performances of each Australian crew in action on Day 6 follows: Women’s Pair Katrina Bateman and Tess Gerrand were back together for the B Final of the Women’s Pair after Gerrand missed the repechage due to illness. Likely main opposition Germany established a half-length lead over Serbia, the European Champions in this event, and Ukraine by 750 metres with the Australian girls just rowing over the course to save themselves for the A Final of the Women’s Eight to be raced on Sunday. The order remained that way to 1000 metres with Serbia beginning to challenge Germany nearly a length clear of Ukraine in third place. At the line it was Serbia first from Germany and Ukraine, and Australia in sixth position. Lightweight Women’s Double Scull Alice McNamara and Maia Simmonds lined up in lane four having finished fourth in their semi-final and went to the lead after 250 metres. At 500 metres Australia was leading from Sweden and South Africa and as they headed to half way they moved out to half a length lead. McNamara and Simmonds were determined to race well after a good performance in the Semi Final and moved to a clear water advantage over Sweden as they hit the 1500 metre mark. At the line it was a good performance from the Australians to win the B Final and finish seventh overall in the World. Women’s Quad Scull The women’s quad scull of Rebekah Hooper, Jessica Hall, Madeline Edmunds and Olympia Aldersey, Under 23 World Champions in 2012, had a big task in front of them against very experienced opponents following the late inclusion of Jennifer Cleary for the injured Edmunds. The girls began well to be just behind Belarus and New Zealand in the very early stage however by 500 metres Australia had taken the lead over Belarus and New Zealand. At the half way mark Australia was putting up a great show with Cleary doing a terrific job off the bench, with New Zealand now in second. At 1500 metres Australia was hanging on grimly to the lead with New Zealand about to pounce. It developed into a stroke for stroke battle with the kiwis just getting the nod by 0.36 seconds from Australia with Great Britain in third place. A great effort by the girls. Men’s Four The young Australian crew of Josh Dunkley-Smith, Will Lockwood, Spencer Turrin and Alex Lloyd had made their way to the A Final through a heat win and a second place in their Semi Final. Winners of two World Cup races, the Australians got out of the blocks well in headwind conditions to lead narrowly after 500 metres, with the favourites USA beside them and Italy feeling the pinch for an exuberant first 150 metres. At half way the Australians had half a length lead over the USA with Italy hanging on to third and the Netherlands working into the race. By 1500 metres it was a three boat race with Australians still a canvas clear of the USA but the Dutch were charging on the opposite side of the course to Australia. At the line after a titanic last 250 metres it was the Netherlands by 0.63 seconds over the Australians with the USA third - a silver medal to Australia with a valiant effort. In action tomorrow: Men’s Double Scull, Lightweight Men’s Four and Men’s Eight all in B Finals, and the Women’s Eight and Kim Crow in the Women’s Single in A Finals.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 20:21:49 +0000
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