Day 1 Results Summary - Monday, 6 March 2000

In near perfect conditions we have seen a preview to this weeks intense competition which will continue to escalate as we get further towards final day.

The course at Penrith is again being put to the test and is performing exceptionally well as a world class Olympic Rowing site. With the score boards in place and an increase in overall facilities including more grandstands we begin to see the site coming alive as it will be during the Olympics.

In todays racing we have not seen many major upsets, with the more experienced and the expected crews advancing through to the next rounds.

Mens Senior A Coxless Pair
In heat one Ben Dodwell and Bo Hanson had a convincing win over Nigel Sullivan and David Porzig who finished second. In heat two, previous Atlanta silver medallists Rob Scott and Dave Weightman, came in second to current in form twins Geoff and James Stewart. Geoff and James made up half of the four (the other half being Ben Dodwell and Bo Hanson) which last year came third at the World Rowing Championships. The Stewart twins would have to be mentioned as current favorites to take out this years title especially considering the withdrawal of current world champions James Tomkins and Drew Ginn due to injury.

In the third heat the international pair from New Zealand of Scott Brownlee and Robert Hellstrom outlasted the newly established combination of Mike McKay and Robert Jahrling who finished second.

In heat four the winners were Robert Douglas and William Tait. A late withdrawal from the mens pair was Richard Wearne and Rob Walker. Rob is now undergoing treatment for a back injury sustained during a warmup session yesterday.

All of these winners will now race tomorrow in the semi finals to decide who makes the final.

Womens Senior A Coxless Pair
Olympic gold medallist Kate Slatter and her new pair partner of Rachael Taylor could face some competition this week with the current in form Adelaide pair of Alison Davies and Rachel Kinnimonth who won the first heat. Rachel and Alison have recently won at the South Australian and Victorian State Championships.

The girls will go on to fight it out later on in the week. If Kate and Rachel win they will be recommended for selection in the pair and will begin in eeriest their Olympic campaign. After first place pairs will begin trialling for the womens eight.

Mens Senior A Single Scull
In this event six heats were held with West Australian favorite Stuart Reside comfortably winning his heat. Other members of last years quad scull, which competed at the World Championships, Jason Day and Peter Hardcastle also, progressed to the next round. Duncan Free who represented Australia in Atlanta in the Mens Quad scull, which won a bronze medal also, won his heat.

Something to mention would be the noted comeback of Peter Antonie. Peter would be the most senior and experienced elite rower competing this week. Peter competed in Barcelona in the lightweight mens double and today showed he is not giving up by winning his heat, and letting selectors know he is a serious contender for selection in this years Olympic team.

Womens Senior A Single Scull
This will be an interesting race between all four heat winners, Georgina Douglas, Bronwyn Roye, Marina Hatzakis and Rebecca Joyce.

Bronywn is the current holder of the National title with Georgina Douglas being Australias representative in the single scull. Of interest is the performance of Rebecca Joyce who up until one month again was contesting in the lightweight womens division. Rebecca being very tall for a lightweight has always struggled to make the crew weight of 57kg and due to various physical and health reasons she has decided to compete in the heavyweight division.

Mens Senior A Lightweight Single Scull
In the mens lightweight single scull, Tim Wise, Hamish Karrasch and Bruce Hick all progress through to the semi finals tomorrow. Visiting international competitor Michael Vabrousek from the Czech Republic won his heat over Canberra local Bruce Hick and he will also line up against the local in what will be a competitive field.

Womens Senior A Lightweight Single Scull
In the womens lightweight single scull Adelaide sculler Sally Newmarch and Sydney Sculler Virginia Lee had convincing wins in their individual heats. Visiting American sculler Mary Obidinski won her heat beating local Sydney girl Catriona Roach.

Mens Senior A Lightweight Coxless Pair
In this category the two dominant pairs of Anthony Edwards and Rob Richards and Darren Balmforth and Simon Burgess both won their respective heats. Last year these two pairs joined to win a silver medal in the lightweight coxed four. They are again aiming for selection in this boat and their early dominance here today proved they are well on track for this.

Summary
In summary a good first day of racing was evident. Tomorrow, Tuesday we will see the crews fight it out for their finals berth with the finals being raced on Wednesday. The feeling within the rowing community and head coach Brian Richardson is that we are seeing the strongest and deepest levels of competition here at this regatta that we have ever seen. Brian anticipates that after the selection process has been completed we will see the strongest Australian team ever.

Michael Wilson and Heidi Little