National selectors moved a step closer to a number of decisions on day 3 of the 2012 Rowing Australia National Selection Trials as more crews impressed at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.
 
A tight selection battle continues to unfold across several boat classes with the lightweight double sculls for both men and women providing the highlight on the third day of action.
 
In still conditions on the 2000 Sydney Olympic course Hannah Every-Hall (QLD) and Bronwen Watson (NSW) edged out Ella Flecker (TAS) and Alice McNamara (VIC) in a time of 7:06.53.
 
All four rowers have performed well across the first two rotations of trialing, with Every-Hall and Flecker set to combine in the next rotation, with McNamara and Watson forming the other combination.
 
In the lightweight men’s double scull Tom Gibson (TAS) and Ali Foot (TAS) prevailed over Blair Tunevitsch (TAS) and Rod Chisholm (NSW) in another closely fought battle, stopping the clock in 6:34.83.
 
The reigning world champion men’s quad scull of Daniel Noonan (NSW), Karsten Forsterling (VIC), James McRae (SA) and Chris Morgan (SA) improved on their time from the first day of racing to record a 5:51.34.
 
Fergus Pragnell (NSW) rowed in the bow seat of the men’s four to join Joshua Dunkley-Smith (VIC), Drew Ginn (VIC) and Tom Swann (VIC) in setting a time of 5:58.76 as they led the lightweight men’s four combination of Todd Skipworth (WA), Ben Cureton (WA), Sam Beltz (TAS) and Anthony Edwards (TAS) over the line.
 
In Day 2 action:

The strong competition for inclusion in Australia’s men’s eight crew for the 2012 season continued. In a reduced Saturday program that only featured three races, the men’s eight proved the standout in flat conditions at the 2000 Sydney Olympic course.
 
There was only one crew change from Friday’s selection trial as 2008 Beijing Olympian James Chapman (NSW) replaced Brodie Buckland (NSW) in the five seat.
 
He joined Bryn Coudraye (SA), Matt Ryan (NSW), Nick Purnell (NSW), Joshua Booth (VIC), Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (VIC), Francis Hegerty (NSW) and Sam Loch (NSW) in the crew coxed by Toby Lister (NSW), with a time of 5:36.82 recorded across the 2000m course.
 
National Men’s Head Coach Noel Donaldson said the strength within the men’s sweep squad was lifting the performances of the athletes.
 
“We have a great core group of athletes competing for places across the entire sweep squad and it bodes well for performances later in the year,” Donaldson said.
 
“Everyone is giving their all this week and the competitive rivalry amidst the group is pushing everyone along.
 
“We are really happy with the squad we have competing for the 14 seats in the men’s pair, four and eight.”
 
The second rotation of the women’s four was also held with the Sarah Cook (ACT) stroked crew prevailing.
 
Cook combined with Hannah Vermeersch (WA), Renee Chatteron (SA) and Robyn Selby Smith (VIC) to prove too strong for Monique Heinke (NSW), Tess Gerrand (NSW), Alexandra Hagan (WA) and Emma McCarthy (QLD) in a time of 6:52.28.
 

All of Australia’s trialing athletes will have a rest day on Monday as selectors continue to seek the best crew combinations for the 2012 Australian Rowing Team.
 
Crews will be recommended to the Rowing Australia board who will announce the official team on April 2.
 
The Australian Rowing Team will compete at World Cup 2 in Lucerne, Switzerland (May 25-27) and World Cup 3 in Munich, Germany (June 15-17) before the team is nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee.

Rowing Australia