Olympic gold medallist David Crawshay (VIC) has won his fourth national title in the men’s single scull at the 2011 Australian Rowing Championships at West Lakes in Adelaide.
Olympic gold medallist David Crawshay (VIC) has won his fourth national title in the men’s single scull at the 2011 Australian Rowing Championships at West Lakes in Adelaide.
Crawshay, who had previously won the title in 2005, 2007 and 2009, led home local favourites James McRae (SA) and Chris Morgan (SA) to win in a time of 7:08.17.
Crawshay, who won gold in the men’s double scull at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, powered home in the final 500m after exchanging the lead with Morgan and McRae for the majority of the race.
Crawshay said his fourth victory was special considering the quality of his opposition.
“We’re aware that we’re (the men’s sculling group) in a lot better position than what we were four years ago and we know we can’t be complacent,” reflected Crawshay.
“I’m just happy to have come out on top of what is probably one of the most quality fields we’ve seen.”
Crawshay will team up with his partner from the Olympic Games, Scott Brennan, in the final of the men’s double scull on Saturday morning.
In the women’s single scull Kim Crow (VIC) won her first individual national title with an impressive victory over Kerry Hore (TAS) and Sally Kehoe (QLD).
Crow motored home over the last 750 metres after finding herself four seconds down from Kehoe at the halfway mark of the race.
She crossed the line in a time of 7:44.42, half a boat length clear of Hore. Crow said it was a great feeling winning her first single sculls national title.
“It’s really exciting,” Crow said shortly after her race. “It was a really enjoyable race and I’m just really surprised!
“We have a great group of girls and to win my first single sculls title is amazing.”
Crow switched from sweep oar rowing to sculling at the end of 2009, and became the first Australian to medal in an international women’s single scull event, after claiming a bronze medal at the Munich World Cup in 2010.
Crow also combined with Hore to win the silver medal in the women’s double scull at the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand.
Rowing Australia