ACT Academy of Sport
media release
monday 1 september 2003

Perfect race for Robinson ...
It was gold all the way for ACT Academy of Sport's Jane Robinson and the Canberra based Australian womens quad scull at the World Rowing Championships in Milan, Italy overnight (AEST Sunday 31 August). The crew of Robinson (ACT), Amber Bradley (WA), Dana Faletic (Tas.) and Kerry Hore (Tas.), coached by Lyall McCarthy (ACT) dominated the race from the early stages to become womens quad scull World Champions for 2003.

The quad rowed a copy book race, gaining the front early, they held a narrow lead over Ukraine with 500 metres gone of the 2000 metre race. At 700 gone Australia started to edge further away leaving the other crews to battle for the minor medals. The Belarus crew continued to sit on the stern of Australia but in the closing stages, stroke Amber Bradley lifted and her three crew mates responded. They crossed over two seconds clear of Belarus in second who just edged out the German crew in third.

"I knew today if they were as confident in this race as they have been in training ... the only thing we could do was muck it up ... they rowed the perfect race today," said McCarthy reflecting on his crew's win. "This is the best part of the year when that flag goes up like that ..." McCarthy continued watching the Australian flag hoisted to the sound of the National Anthem.

The crew is the first Australian womens quad scull to win the event at any World Championships or Olympic Games the best previously a bronze in 1998. Robinson, was a member of the crew in 1998 before joining the womens sweep crews. In 2001, the veteran of nine consecutive Australian teams had her first taste of World Championship gold winning in the womens four and eight.

The Australian womens quad now go into the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as confident favourites. A delighted Jane Robinson realises there is now just one more thing missing from her trophy cabinet, "an Olympic Gold medal."

Overall Australia qualified in 12 of the 14 events for the Athens Olympics next year an achievement only equalled by Germany.

The Australian mens quad scull with Canberra locals Mitchell Punch and Craig Jones rowed a solid race in an event dominated by Germany to place 4th. Canberra's Donna Martin who was forced out of the womens quad through injury problem raced in the womens single scull placing 17th.

Other medals won by Australia at the Championships included a gold in the mens pair, silver in the womens lightweight double scull and men's lightweight quad scull and bronze to the women's lightweight quad scull. This added to two gold medals won by the adaptive rowers.

For further information, high-resolution images and opportunities to speak to the rowers (after 3pm today) please contact Taryn Langdon 6207 4391 or 0409 229 934

Some vision and audio are also available

Taryn Langdon
Public Relations
ACT Academy of Sport
ph: (02) 6207 4391
fax: (02) 6207 4042
m: 0409 229 934
e: taryn.langdon@act.gov.au
PO Box 90
Belconnen ACT 2616