Silver Lining for Australian Women’s Four
Saturday, 24th July 2010

The Australian women’s four claimed a silver medal to headline Australia’s results on Day 3 of the Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Brest, Belarus.

The all South Australian crew of Jessica Molsher-Jones, Peta White, Renee Chatterton and Mary Connelly led for the middle 1000m of the race, before succumbing to the challenge from the USA in the final quarter of the race.

In an excellent performance from the Australian crew, they crossed the line just three seconds behind USA in a time of 6:43.19.

Australia’s lightweight women’s quad scull claimed fourth place in a tight A Final. Hannah Jansen (WA), Annabel Gibson (TAS), Alexandra Hayes (WA) and Gabrielle Kukla (QLD) produced a late surge to try and reel in fourth placed France but fell short by half a boat length, recording a time of 6:42.84.

The Australian women’s quad scull of Alexandra Hagan (WA), Sarah Perkins (VIC), Amy Fowler (ACT) and Georgia Baker (WA) finished fifth in the A Final despite a late effort in the concluding 500m that brought them in touching distance of medal contention. They crossed the line in 6:39.67.

In semi-final action, the men’s four crew of Joshua Dunkley Smith (VIC), Nicholas Purnell (NSW), Dominic Grimm (NSW) and Will Lockwood (VIC) was the only Australian crew to qualify for an A Final on Sunday as they finished third.

With Dunkley Smith coming back into the crew after missing Thursday’s heat with a virus, Australia crossed the line in 6:07.44 to book their place in the main final on Sunday.

The men’s eight, men’s quad scull, men’s lightweight four and men’s lightweight double scull will all row in B Finals on Sunday.

See a full list of Australian results.