Triple Olympic gold medalist Drew Ginn continued his excellent build up to the 2012 London Olympic Games by winning his fifth men’s pair national title at the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships.
Triple Olympic gold medalist Drew Ginn (VIC) continued his excellent build up to the 2012 London Olympic Games by winning his fifth men’s pair national title at the 2012 Australian Rowing Championships.
Ginn combined with Joshua Dunkley Smith (VIC) to defend the title they won last year on another scorching day at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre in Perth.
Ginn and Dunkley Smith, who remain well placed to be considered for selection in the men’s four for the 2012 Australian Rowing Team, recorded a time of 6:33.44 to win the national title ahead of Bryn Coudraye (SA) and Tom Swann (VIC), with James Marburg (VIC) and Brodie Buckland (NSW) taking the bronze medal.
The Victorian duo was in third place through 500m but had moved to the lead by the halfway point before showing their class over the closing stages of the race.
Ginn said the competition amongst the men’s sweep squad was improving everyone ahead of the London Games.
“The sweep squad is really strong and it is great seeing so much competition amongst the group,” Ginn said.
“The mix is changing all the time and it is really important that we keep on supporting each other to ensure our four and eight are really strong.
“We had a better row today and any time you win a national title is a special feeling.”
2008 Beijing Olympic Games gold medalist David Crawshay (VIC) joined Ginn’s success by winning his fifth national title in the men’s single scull.
Crawshay, who had previously won titles in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011, came over the top of South Australian Chris Morgan to defend his title, while James McRae finished in third place.
The 32-year-old praised the strength of the men’s sculling group.
“I hadn’t really been thinking too much about the fact that I had never won the single in an even numbered year but my coach seemed to tell me every day,” Crawshay said.
“I thought I had a pretty good start today but with the quality of the field I found myself a tiny bit behind Morgo (Chris Morgan).
“We have such depth in the squad at the moment which puts us in a really good position ahead of London later this year. We all get along great and push each other really hard.”
Kim Crow (VIC) won her second women’s single scull national title with a start-to-finish victory.
Crow, who has won silver medals in the women’s double scull at the past two world championships, crossed the line in a time of 7:37.94, while Pippa Savage (QLD) and Kerry Hore (TAS) also occupied the podium.
The women’s pair title was won by 2011 world championship bronze medalists Kate Hornsey (TAS) and Sarah Tait (VIC).
The duo swept to a three boat length victory over young West Australian pair Hannah Vermeersch and Alex Hagan who backed up their win in the under 23 women’s pair, while Tess Gerrand (NSW) and Monique Heinke (NSW) won the bronze medal.
In racing later today, the Australian lightweight men’s four that won gold at last year’s world championships will race the men’s heavyweight fours, while another Australian world champion crew, the men’s quad scull will also compete.
The 2012 Australian Rowing Team will be named at the conclusion of the 2012 National Selection Trials at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from March 23-April 1.
Rowing Australia
