Triple Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn (VIC) has won the men’s pair with Joshua Dunkley Smith (VIC) at the 2011 Australian Rowing Championships to continue his successful comeback to rowing.

Under sunny skies and on still water at West Lakes in Adelaide, Ginn and Dunkley Smith constructed the perfect race to win the national title in a time of 6:47.68.

Ginn, 37, only returned to competitive rowing in time for the 2011 season and has formed a formidable partnership with 22-year-old Dunkley Smith who burst onto the scene in 2010 when he stroked the Australian men’s eight to bronze at the World Championships in New Zealand.

In the final today, Ginn and Dunkley Smith hit the lead in the second quarter of the race and led by over five seconds with 500m remaining, eventually crossing the line just under a boat length clear of Sam Loch (NSW) and Nicholas Purnell (NSW), while Brodie Buckland (NSW) and Tom Larkins (VIC) won the bronze medal.

Ginn said the pair improved with each race across the week.

“I think it’s good to have had to race the repechage and to have a clear plan for the final,” Ginn said.  “Our intention was to row really well through the middle and try and create a margin that way.”

Ginn said he was really enjoying rowing with Dunkley Smith.

“With 15 years age difference I think it’s a real credit for Josh to be able to put up with my old ways but I’m really enjoying being around the young fella.

“Josh obviously has a lot of potential and is already doing really well, so it’s great to row with him.”

In the women’s pair final, the current Australian representative pair of Sarah Tait (VIC) and Phoebe Stanley (VIC) held on over Beijing Olympians Pauline Frasca (VIC) and Kate Hornsey (TAS). Tait and Stanley won by half a boat length in a time of 7:30.84.

Sam Beltz (TAS) and Anthony Edwards (TAS) defended their national title in the men’s lightweight pairs with a comprehensive victory over Ben Cureton (WA) and Todd Skipworth (WA).

The Tasmanian duo won in a time of 6:53.48, finishing a boat length clear of the Cureton and Skipworth combination.

In the final of the women’s lightweight single scull, Hannah Every-Hall defended her national title after an excellent row that saw her record a time of 8:10.00.

Every-Hall led home her 2010 Australian crew mate from the women’s lightweight double scull, Alice McNamara, by over five seconds.

The pair will more than likely combine again in the women’s lightweight double scull this year for Australia.

Rowing Australia