Australia targets two Rowing World Cups

Rowing Australia has selected its senior squad for 2010 after a week of intensive trials at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith, Australia.

A squad of 39 athletes was selected to race at the second and third Rowing World Cups – Munich, Germany in June and Lucerne, Switzerland in July.

The men’s four are back together hoping to rise above their silver medal spot that they have held for the last two years. In the four is Francis Hegerty, Cameron McKenzie-McHarg, James Marburg and Matt Ryan and they will be coached by Chris O’Brien.

Daniel Noonan, David Crawshay, Karsten Forsterling and Chris Morgan make up the men’s quadruple sculls. This sees two changes from last year’s silver medal winning quad. Forsterling and Morgan are the new blood in the crew.

Heading the list of women athletes is Sally Kehoe in the women’s single sculls. Kehoe had to compete in 12 races throughout the week of trials with her main rival being Kerry Hore. This is Kehoe’s ninth Australian team selection and the first time back internationally in the single since winning it as a junior in 2004. Australia’s 2008 Olympic single sculler Pippa Savage was off the pace and did not make it through selection. Kehoe and Savage raced together last year in the double finishing fourth at the 2009 World Rowing Championships. Hore will join Kim Crow to form the women’s double sculls.

The selected athletes will now move to where their specified coach is based. Those that have to relocate receive assistance but must do it in time for training to start in one week’s time.

As this year’s World Rowing Championships are being run at the later time, at the end of October, a further round of selection trials will take place in August. This gives a chance to some top athletes who are currently injured to get back into the squad.

Rowing Australia high performance manager Andrew Matheson said in the RA media release, “A number of athletes were unable to make the World Cup tour due to injuries or personal commitments and these athletes will have the chance to trial in August. Duncan Free, Sam Conrad, Brooke Pratley, James McRae, Ben Cureton and Tom Gibson, who were all part of the Olympic team in 2008, will trial for places in August and will be given due opportunity to qualify for the World Championships team.”

The trials also selected Rowing Australia’s under-23 squad who will go to the Belarus for the World Rowing Under 23 Championships starting 22 July 2010.

For a full list of squad members click here.