Eights Have Tough Day on the Water

Western Australia’s Olympic rowers have had a tough day on the water on Monday as the Australian men’s and women’s eights finally raced their heats after a day of weather delays.

Sunday’s racing was postponed due to poor weather, with both of the blue ribbon crews hitting the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park for the first time on Monday afternoon. West Australians David Dennis, Jeremy Stevenson, Natalie Bale and Sarah Tait all took their seats in their respective boats.

The frustration levels would have reached a high point for the men’s crew when they sensationally were forced to cruise through their race in last position after their rudder broke. Dennis and Stevenson’s crew were fighting with the world champion Canadian crew for the lead until they veered off course and into the Canadian’s lane around the 700m mark.

From there cox Marty Rabjohns was unable to steer the boat and the Australians simply had to cruise through the remainder of the 2000m course.

Luckily for the crew they will get a second chance on Tuesday through the repechage round.

Bale and Tait’s crew fared better but will also have to qualify for the finals through the repechage after they finished in third position in their heat in a time of 6:07.93.

The women’s eight finished behind three-time Olympic champions Romania and The Netherlands and will also race again on Tuesday for a place in the finals.

Channel 7 is expected to broadcast the repechage rounds from 5pm on Tuesday.