WAIS Rowing Athletes Compete in World U23 Champs

WAIS rowing athletes were in action at the World Under 23 Championships in Brest, Belarus last weekend.

There was disappointment for WAIS athlete Hannah Jansen after her women’s lightweight quad scull missed out on a bronze medal by half a boat length, recording a time of 6:42.84. Jansen was joined by fellow West Australian Alexandra Hayes, Annabel Gibson (Tas) and Gabrielle Kukla (Qld).

The Australian women’s quad scull of WAIS athlete Alexandra Hagan, Sarah Perkins (VIC), Amy Fowler (ACT) and Georgia Baker (WA) finished fifth in the A Final despite a late effort in the concluding 500m that brought them within touching distance of a medal. They crossed the line in 6:39.67.

WAIS athletes Brendan Murray and Tom Gatti competed for Australia in the men’s eight, narrowly missing out on the A-final.

The all South Australian crew of Jessica Molsher-Jones, Peta White, Renee Chatterton and Mary Connelly broke through for a silver medal in the women’s four. The crew led for the middle 1000m of the race, before succumbing to the challenge of the USA boat in the final quarter of the race. In an excellent performance from the Australian crew, they crossed the line just three seconds behind the USA in a time of 6:43.19.

Attention now turns to the Junior World Championships in Recice, Czech Republic from August 5-8. WAIS will again be represented by some talented young athletes, with David Watts and Matt Cochran preparing to compete in the men’s coxed four, coached by WAIS rowing coach David Milne.

Hannah Vermeersch will contest the women’s four, alongside fellow West Australian Natasha Gay.

In senior ranks, WAIS Olympian Nat Bale is making steady progress from a back injury which has hampered her 2010 campaign. The member of the women’s eight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is hoping to prove her fitness ahead of the Rowing Australia world championship selection regatta in Penrith from August 23-26.