WAIS athletes were in the thick of the action over the weekend, competing in international and domestic events around the globe.
Australia’s lightweight men’s four crew captured a fine result in its last hit-out before the Beijing Games – winning a bronze medal at World Cup 3 in Poznan, Poland – in a quality international field.
WAIS rowers Ben Cureton and Todd Skipworth formed half of the squad along with Rod Chisholm and Anthony Edwards.
France led from Australia through the first stages of the race before the Australian crew, stroked by Todd Skipworth, drew level and passed the French at the halfway mark. Over the last 500 metres of the race the French re – established their margin and held on to win the race in a time of 6:08.76, while Australia was pipped by the fast finishing Italians by two hundredths of a second.
WAIS slalom canoeing athletes Robin Bell and Kynan Maley scored impressive results at the first Slalom World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic.
Bell produced a quality display to win a silver medal over an elite field, earning a Beijing confidence boost in the process. Bell, who was seeded 7th heading into the semi finals of the Men’s C1, finished second behind dual Olympic Champion Tony Estanguet of France, while fellow Australian Kynan Maley finished 7th in the ten person final.
In slightly windy conditions in the Czech capital, Bell recorded a combined time of 176.91 seconds to finish just over a second behind Estanguet.
After the race Bell says that he was very pleased with the result.
“I am thrilled with the result considering the injury lay off I had in the lead up to the event”, Bell said. “In the semi final I was putting together a quick run but felt pretty tired in the last few gates so set myself the goal in the final of trying to catch up the time difference to Tony.”
“I didn’t quite get the start I was looking for in the final run but all things considered a silver medal is an excellent result. I will just look to capitalise in the next two World Cups.”
Fellow West Australian, Kynan Maley, should also be impressed with his result after moving back to the form he is capable of showing.
Following the semi finals of the Men’s K1 and Men’s C2 on Sunday, the World Cup season will move to Slovenia for the second event next weekend.
In Perth, WA Elite Junior State Platform Championships High Performance Squad members Jayden Cooney (10 years) and Courtney Press (11 years) finished first and second in the group C (13 years and under) event scoring 257.50 and 215.75points, respectively.
WAIS hockey athletes competed in the Champions Trophy tournament in Holland, suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Argentina.
WAIS athlete Fergus Kavanagh pulled a goal-back on 22 minutes for the Kookaburras after the defending Olympic Champions conceded a two goal start.
