ROWING: Australia concluded its World Rowing Cup campaign, with the Men’s and Women’s Fours winning gold medals in convincing style in Lucerne, Switzerland.

In addition to the two gold medals, Australia’s Men’s Eight had an incredible battle with the reigning World Champions, Germany, to win a silver medal on the Rotsee.

By virtue of winning two golds and a silver medal, plus the two silver medals won by Alice Arch and Hamish Parry, Australia finished third on the medal table at World Rowing Cup 3.

The Men’s Eight race proved to be the most gripping of finals, with Australia leading the majority of the race. Australia, coxed by Kendall Brodie, were the fastest at the start and were in the lead at the 500 metre mark, with the Australians, alongside Germany, stroking 41 as they both approached the midway point.

Liam Donald, who was sat in the bow seat, said post-race, “We had a good start, which we’ve been practicing. We needed to then work hard in the 1000 metres to push on and forwards. It’s actually my first time racing here in Lucerne, so this result feels really special.”

The Women’s Four of Molly Goodman, Sarah Hawe, Rosie Popa and Lucy Stephan wrapped up their World Rowing Cup season with another gold medal and winning the World Rowing Cup for the boat class.

Stephan, of Melbourne University Boat Club, said post-race: ““It was a really tough race. At the 1000 metres, I called it and as racers, we really came together. Winning our last race before the World Rowing Championships is something we can really build on. It was great to race and win here as well as it is such an amazing course.”

Australia’s Men’s Four continue to dominate their boat class walking away with the gold medal in Lucerne, as well as the overall World Cup for the Men’s Four by virtue of winning gold at both World Rowing Cups 2 and 3.

Post-race, Jack Hargreaves said: “We had a decent start, it was a bit choppy out in the middle of the race as the Eights were warming up as we came down the course, but we had a solid second 1000 metres and at the end we just held onto it.”

Elsewhere in today’s A-Finals, the young Australian pairing of Bronwyn Cox and Giorgia Patten of West Australia finished sixth in the final, which was eventually won by reigning World Champions, New Zealand. The duo will now go onto compete at the World Rowing U23 Championships in Poland in 10 days.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Women’s Quadruple Scull finished sixth in their A-Final, the Men’s Quadruple Scull fifth in their A-Final and the Women’s Eight fifth in their A-Final.

In the B-Finals held earlier in the morning, the Women’s Double Scull of Harriet Hudson and Ria Thompson finished sixth, while the Lightweight Women’s Double Scull of Verayna Zilm and Georgie Masters finished third. Both of these crews will now go on to contest the World Rowing U23 Championships. Meanwhile, Madeleine Edmunds finished second in her B-Final of the Women’s Single Scull, concluding the event ranked eighth overall.

With the conclusion of the World Rowing Cup season, the Australian Rowing Team will now return to Australia ahead of the World Rowing Championships team being finalised in the coming week.

Rowing Australia