It was another exciting day on the water at the Olympic qualification regatta in Switzerland. As Rhys Grant secured his spot in the A-Final of the Men’s Single Sculls, the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls narrowly missed their Olympic qualification.
Kinshu Jain reports.
TRANSCRIPT
The new-look Australian duo were up against a fast field in the lightweight Women’s Double Sculls.
London Olympian Hannah Every-Hall had been paired this season with Georgia Nesbitt.
But in a shocking turn of events, the duo finished fifth, meaning they won’t progress with The Netherlands and Switzerland in the A-Final.
Jaime Fernandez, Rowing Australia GM: “It is obviously devastating and disappointing. Certainly unexpected to be very honest. We thought, I thought, I guess their own were, but didn’t see that coming.”
Thirty eight year old Every-Hall said she would retire from the sport if she failed to make the Rio games.
It was a different outcome for West Australia’s Rhys Grant his family were overwhelmed at his third place which earned Grant a spot in the Men’s Single Sculls finals.
Rhys Grant, Men’s Single Sculls: “It was an amazing opportunity to do the single-sculls at the games and here I am giving it a crack.”
The Australian Men’s and Women’s Eights will battle it out in their A-Finals tonight each looking for a top two finish to book more Australian berths for Rio.
Kinshu Jain, QUT News.