The 2018 World Rowing Championships concluded with VIS having scholarship holders in three podium finishing teams, including the Women’s Eight, Men’s Eight and Women’s Coxless Four in Plovdiv, Bulgaria over the weekend.
Australia’s Men’s Eight claimed silver, the country’s first medal in the boat class in eight years. The Women’s Eight took home a bronze medal, the first medal an Australian Women’s Eight has won a medal in 12 years.
Australia’s Men’s Eight had a nail-biting finish to their race with the crew of VIS scholarship holder Josh Booth, Liam Donald, Rob Black, Angus Moore, Simon Keenan, Nick Purnell, Tim Masters, Angus Widdicombe and coxswain Kendall Brodie staving off an attack from a fast paced British crew to snap up a silver medal behind Germany who claimed gold.
Australia’s Women’s Eight of Leah Saunders, Rosie Popa, Georgie Gotch, Georgie Rowe, Annabelle McIntyre, Ciona Wilson, Jacinta Edmunds, Emma Fessey and coxswain VIS’ very own James Rook came home with Australia’s first medal in the Women’s Eight since 2006. The crew, coached by John Keogh, were leading at the 500 metre mark, before moving into second for the middle thousand with USA taking the lead.
As the crews approached the final 500 metres, Canada made a move and passed the Australians, but Rook called on his crew to up their rating and they responded. As they sprinted for the line, it was the USA who took the win, with Canada in second and Australia third, with just an eighth of a second separating the Canadians and Australians.
Australia’s Women’s Coxless Four of VIS’ Katrina Werry and Lucy Stephan as along with fellow Aussie’s Molly Goodman and Sarah Hawe, faced off with an in-form United States, Denmark and Russia.
The Australian crew got out to a flying start and were chasing the USA who were in the lead with the Danes and Poland hot in their heels.
With 500 metres to row, the Australians looked to be coming home fast in a bid to push the USA, however, and outside sprint from the Russians also had to be held off. The Aussies were up for the challenge and claimed a silver medal while the USA were took strong and took home the gold.
Post-race, VIS rower Lucy Stephen said that whilst the USA looked strong the overall goal is still 2020.
“It was a tough race and it’s great to see how much the competition has stepped up since last year. I’m really proud of the girls and credit to the USA for how they raced. This is only the second year of the Olympiad and, ultimately, we’re building towards Tokyo.” She said.
In other VIS rowing new, Australia featured in three B-Finals over the weekend.
VIS scholarship holder Addy Dunkley-Smith and Hannah Vermeersch wrapped up their World Championships ranked eighth in the world in the Women’s Pair, after placing second in their B-Final.
