Toowoomba rowers Sally Kehoe and Pippa Savage stormed to victory in their respective semi-finals of the open women’s single scull as Day 3 of the Australian Rowing Championships began at Lake Barrington, Tasmania.

Savage rowed in the first semi-final and surged to a four boat length lead over Victorian Lisa Szatsznadjer with 250 metres to go, before easing off over the line to gain a middle lane in the final with a time of 8:04.50.

Szatsznadjer finished in second, while Anna McRae (SA) was third.

Savage, who represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the event and has won the national title for the past two years, will face a strong challenge however from Kehoe.

Kehoe prevailed in the recent New South Wales State Championships and is looking to add the national title to her résumé. Kehoe looked smooth across the water in her semi-final as she crossed the line in a time of 7:59.79 to win ahead of Sarah Cook and Sarah Eke.

The top three from each semi-final progress through to the final which will be held on Friday morning.

Jeremy Stevenson (WA) and David Crawshay (VIC) won the two semi-finals of the open men’s single scull with convincing victories in their respective races.

Crawshay, member of the gold medal winning men’s double scull crew in Beijing, showed strong form across the water and won his race in a time of 7:14.17. Qualifying alongside Crawshay from the first semi-final were Dan Noonan and Jared Bidwell.

Meanwhile Stevenson continued his push to gain Australian representation in the men’s single scull by setting a time of 7:11.72 in the second semi-final.

Stevenson was part of the men’s eight in Beijing but has stated his desire to row in this event in London 2012. He led home Sydney University’s Nicholas Hudson (NSW), with Italian Niccolo Mornatti claiming the final spot in the final.

In the semi-finals of the women’s Under 23 single scull, Katja Hauser (NSW) won the first semi-final in a time of 8:07.86 to qualify for the final ahead of Peta Eddington (QLD) and Michelle Yann (VIC).

Melbourne University’s Alison Crowe won the second semi-final, while Charlotte Walters (NSW) and Georgia Baker (WA) also progressed to the final.

James McRae (SA), Taylor Wilczynski and Riley Owen (ACT) won the three semi-finals of the men’s under 23 single scull.

McRae, who rowed in the men’s quad scull at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, recorded a time of 7:29.44, with David Wright (ACT) finishing in second place to also book his place in the final.

Wilczynski (7:24.18), who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Junior World Championships, has progressed well since leaving the junior age group and with the result secured a middle lane for the final. Owen won the third semi-final in a time of 7:27.36 to progress to the final along with Hugo Struss (QLD).

David Polglase
Rowing Australia