World Cup II: Ayers, Altschwager blast world-best time to lead impressive Australian charge in Varese
Alex Hill OAM and Jack Hargreaves OAM take charge as the Men’s Four take out their heat at World Cup II.
Australian rowers have put themselves in a strong position after an impressive first day at World Cup II under bright skies in Varese, Italy, including a world-best time for the powerhouse PR3 Mixed Double Sculls duo of Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager.
After twin Gold Medals at the International Para Regatta in Gavirate, Ayers and Altschwager put their rivals on notice with a dominant row in the opening heat to progress straight to the A Final.
Their time of 7:12.70 was more than 15 seconds quicker than the previous mark and their march towards a potential Paralympic spot at the September World Championships continues at pace.
That performance was one of the highlights on a day where a host of boats safely progressed to semi-finals or finals, with the Women’s Single Sculls, Women’s Pair, Women’s Four and Men’s Four all saluting in their respective heats.
The Olympic champion Men’s Four crew of Alex Purnell OAM, Alex Hill OAM, Spencer Turin OAM and Jack Hargreaves OAM held off the strong USA boat to win the opening heat, while the Women’s Four of Lucy Stephan OAM, Sarah Hawe, Giorgia Patten and Katrina Werry had a similarly tough assignment against second-placed Denmark before closing out their heat.
Two former members of that boat, Jessica Morrison OAM and Annabelle McIntyre OAM, looked sharp to take out the second heat of the Women’s Pair and be the fastest boat (6:59.29) through to the semi-finals. The Tokyo Gold Medallists in the Four put their class on display, with the USA once again emerging as one of the key dangers.
The 2022 World Championship Bronze Medal winner in the Single Sculls, Tara Rigney, will row from lane three in the semi-finals after victory in the fourth and final heat. Rigney (7:22.47) had a fight on her hands to fend off China sculler Liu Ruiqi (7:22.81) but once again showed her grit on the international stage.
Other results from day one included semi-final qualification for the Men’s Pair, Lightweight Men’s Double, Men’s Double, Lightweight Women’s Double and Women’s Double, while the Men’s and Women’s Eights will race in A Finals after preliminary racing on Friday.
Check out the full results at World Rowing and keep an eye on Rowing Australia’s social media channels for full coverage from World Cup II in Italy. The racing will be live on Kayo in Australia from 6pm AEST on Sunday night.
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