ROWING: Queensland identical twins Tyler and Miller Ferris along with Tom Schramko of Sydney have been selected to row for Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Nanjing, China this August.
“It was crazy. We weren’t expecting it,” Tyler Ferris said upon her selection to compete in the women’s coxless pairs at the Youth Olympics.
“We were hoping to make the Junior Worlds but also made the Youth Olympics. It was awesome. Anything with the word Olympics in it creates a huge buzz.”
Tyler, the younger of the twins by two minutes, says they are identical in practically every way.
“We are identical twins, 100 per cent, even though I don’t feel like we are.”
“We like the same things, enjoy doing the same things and even finish each other’s sentences in a non freakish way.”
Being identical has assisted the Ferris twins’ development and performance in a sport where similar physical attributes and similar rhythm is crucial.
“I definitely think being identical has given us an advantage,” the 17-year-old said.
“We have a very similar rowing styles and a similar rhythm. We were taught to row by the same coach.
“Mentally we know what each other is thinking.”
Tyler, the stronger of the two, rows in the bow, while Miller who is more consistent is the stroke.
“We have a similar build and pretty much the same power, even though I have been a little bit stronger than Miller. I usually pull a better erg than her.”
The Ferris twins have been rowing together since 2010 and have won the school girls First VIII Head of the River three years in a row, which is unprecedented.
“My sister first started rowing in 2009 while I was playing tennis,” Tyler said.
“She really enjoyed it and I started in the sport the next year. We have been in every boat together including the quad, the eight and the pair for the last two years.”
In the lead up to Nanjing Games, the women will be training in the pairs as well as the four, the event in which they will be competing in at the Junior World Championships the week before the Youth Olympics.
The second summer Youth Olympic Games commence in Nanjing, China on Saturday 16 August and run for 12 days. Rowing will take place on days 1 – 4 at the Nanjing Rowing-Canoeing School.
“I never thought we would make the Australian Team so soon,” Tyler said.
To follow, support and find out more information about the AYOT, visit the dedicated team website nanjing2014.olympics.com.au. For the latest social media news, follow AUSOlympicTeam on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Goole+.
The Rowing team for the 2014 Australian Youth Olympic Team:
Tyler Ferris (17) QLD 4030 Coxless Pair
Miller Ferris (17) QLD 4030 Coxless Pair
Tom Schramko (17) NSW 2066 Single Sculls
Frances Cordaro
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam
