Cameron (Cam) Girdlestone of Sydney University Boat Club (SUBC), as part of the Australian Men’s Quadruple Scull, has won himself a prized Silver Medal in the A-Final at the 2015 World Rowing Championships at Lake Aiguebelette, France, September 5.
In a gripping race the German crew led from start to finish with the Aussies, Estonian and Swiss crews all in red-hot pursuit. The Aussie’s really took it to the German’s late in the race but a strong spurt from the German’s in the last 500 metres proved decisive. The German crew took the line in 5:53.22, with Australia 5:54.75 and Estonia 5:56.34. The Men’s Quad had already qualified their boat for the Rio Olympics by virtue of their semi-final place.
Post-race Girdlestone was paid glowing praise by veteran fellow crew member David Crawshay.
“The younger two members of our crew in Cam (Girdlestone) and David (Watts) have really taken this whole experience in their stride and not been overawed by it all. It’s a real measure of the two of them that they’re able to do that, Cam has gone from a boat that was in the C-Final last year to one that has won a medal this year and that’s a phenomenal thing for anyone.
“He’s a class act and a great athlete and he deserves and to come from where he was, taking it in his stride and I believe our boat has really benefited from having both the older experience of myself and Karsten as well as the youth and exuberance of Cam and David,” said Crawshay.
In other action the first A-Final yesterday featured the all SUBC Men’s Pair of Jack Hargreaves in the Bow position and Nicholas Wheatley as Stroke. Coached by Mark Prater, also of SUBC, they finished sixth in a race dominated by the Olympic and multiple World Champion Kiwi crew. Hargreaves and Wheatley snared silver in the same event at the 2015 Under 23 World’s last month and conclude this World Rowing Championships ranked sixth in the world. They also qualified their boat for Rio next year.
The last day of final’s action (Sunday September 6) is not to be missed and sees a number of Sydney Uni reps on the water. To help get you organized for tonight here are the times as World titles and boat qualification for Rio is at stake for our rowers.
- Women’s Double Scull featuring our own Sally Kehoe from Sydney University Women’s Rowing Club as stroke, with her crewmate Olympia Aldersey. B-Final, Lane 5 at 20:00 AEST.
- Men’s Eight which is jam-packed with SUBC talent Fergus Pragnell, Matt Ryan, Chris Cunningham-Reid and Nick Purcell. B-Final, Lane 2 at 21:00 AEST.
- Men’s Double with our Alexander (Sasha) Belonogoff in the stroke position teamed with James McRae. A-Final, Lane 2 at 21:30 AEST.
Other finals being raced tonight also include Australian crews.
You can cheer on our Sydney Uni champions via live streaming on the World Rowing website http://www.worldrowing.com/ . Alternatively, Fox Sports are broadcasting the World Rowing Championships including tonight from 9:10pm-11:30pm.
Go the Aussies!
