Three big days of racing are upon our Olympic team, but it’s what happens at the finish line on that final day that will be the true litmus test.
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The Canadian quad consists of Will Dean, who represents Brentwood College, Rob Gibson, a 2012 London Olympics silver medallist in the eight, Pascal Lussier of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and Julien Bahain, a dual citizen and 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medallist for France, who relocated to Victoria.
After a year off from worldwide competition Twigg missed out on qualification at last year’s world championships, where the first nine New Zealand boats secured their spot, and was forced to contest the last-chance regatta in Switzerland to gain her seat in Rio. Three of the crews achieved third placings, just one spot shy of Olympic qualification – men’s coxless four, quad, and women’s quad.
Australia have qualified eight boats with 20 rowers for Rio, compared to 13 boats and 46 rowers for the 2012 London Games.
Emma Twigg won her heat comfortably to progress to the semifinals while the men’s lightweight double placed third and will also progress to the semifinals.
Australia’s rowing team are confident about their medal prospects at the Rio Olympics despite qualifying their smallest contingent since 1992.
“I think you can read a fair bit into it”, said Hamish Bond.
Victoria-based Rowing Canada had qualified six boats through the 2015 world championships.
Grant’s achievement at the blue-riband event dubbed the “Regatta of Death” came on the day that the Australian men’s and women’s eight both failed to qualify for Rio.
Other crews given the chance to race on the Rotsee include Vicki Meyer-Laker and Donna Etiebet in a second women’s pair, while another men’s double will be occupied by Leander Nick Middleton and Jack Beaumont, now fully recovered after a back injury sustained during winter training camp.
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“All the crews had really good races”, Fernandez said. “I think we’re tracking for a pretty special Olympics”.
