Australian Eight Rows into History Books

When Australia won the women's eight at the FISA World Rowing Championships at the weekend, not only did they end four years of Romanian dominance, but they created history in their homeland.

They became the first Australian women's eight and the first women's eight outside Europe or America to take World Championship gold.

They are also the first Australian eight to take home gold since the men's eight won their only World Championship title at Nottingham in 1986.

Four of this year's women's eight, Julia Robinson, Joanna Lutz, Julia Wilson and Victoria Roberts, had also taken gold a day earlier in the women's coxless four. Australia also took gold in the lightweight women's quad.

Coach Harald Jahrling said it was great to see the women's eight step into the spotlight.

"Women's rowing, we have always been the stepdaughter of men's rowing, but its not that any more," he told the Australian Associated Press.

"It's good to have three World Championship crews and the eight is very special. I hope schoolgirls had a look and want to be there some day."

After the race three-seat Wilson said the crew was "ecstatic."

"We had a few mishaps on the way – our cox box wasn't working but we all pulled together as a crew and we're just so excited to win this World Championships together."

She was also rapt with Australia's overall performance.

"I think that's three in total now in the gold medals, so 'Go Aussies'!"

Jodi Winter, Emily Martin, Rebecca Sattin, Kristina Larsen and cox Carly Bilson completed the crew.