07.09.2008 – Graham Croker
Sydney University is represented by seven rowers in Australian crews competing at the World University Rowing Championships being held in Belgrade.
Dominic Grimm, James Harding and Ry Kehlet will team up with James Adams from the University of Melbourne in the men’s four.
Natasha Bolsin and Ailsa Tremayne will partner Georgina Harvey and Emy Hunstman from the University of Melbourne in the women’s four, and Emma Costello and Chloe O’Regan will compete in the women’s pair, which is coached by Alan Bennet from the Sydney University Boat Club.
Harding (BEd), Bolsin (Arts/Science), Tremayne (MCom), Costello (BA) and O’Regan (BEd) are Sydney University Sports Scholarships holders.
Grimm, the Australian team captain and stroke of the men’s four, will carry the flag at the opening ceremony, where all 27 participating countries will be represented.
The regatta is being held at the Ada Ciganlija beach front, with temperatures predicted to reach 38C.
Australia will be represented in five events: the men’s and women’s coxless four, the men’s and women’s double sculls and the men’s lightweight single scull. Australia will start its campaign with the women’s double sculls.
Almost 400 athletes and officials will contest the 13 gold medals at the Championships, which is the first international regatta since the Beijing Olympics and is shaping up to be an extremely competitive with most of the European countries featuring Olympic athletes.
The Australian crews have spent the past week training on the Sava river in Belgrade, where the team has fine-tuned their boats.
