Skipworth and Cureton Second in Lightweight Four Heat

WAIS rowing athletes Todd Skipworth and Ben Cureton have made an encouraging start to their 2012 London Olympic Games campaign, with a second place finish behind Great Britain in the heat of the men’s lightweight four.

Competing with Tasmanians Sam Beltz and Anthony Edwards, the Australian crew was good enough for a time of 5:51.18 to finish marginally behind Great Britain (5:49.29) at the Eton Dorney course.

Skipworth – a 2008 Beijing Olympian – said it was always good to get the first race out of the way to test conditions.

“Eton was an unknown in terms of the conditions, so our first 1000m is always going to be important, and now we know how we want to set it up,” he said.

In the women’s single scull, Canberra’s Kim Crowe showcased her credentials for a medal with a time of 7:41.18 to easily win her heat.