Golden start for UQ rowers

University of Queensland Boat Club (UQBC) members Sally Kehoe and Sam Conrad both tasted success in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics, winning gold in the Australian women’s and men’s eights at the first Rowing World Cup event in Munich on Sunday.

Sally and Sam were named Most Outstanding Oarswoman and Oarman respectively at the 2007 UQBC Annual Dinner and have been at the forefront of Australian rowing this year.

Despite trailing China by almost a second at the half way mark the women’s eight crew turned on the power to finish two boat lengths clear in a time of 6:36:29 over a 2000m course, with China second and Romania third.

Captain of the women’s eight Sarah Tait said the crew was forced to change their race plan after a difficult start.

“We got caught in a bit of dirty water at the start of the race, which put us further back than we wanted,” she said.

“We wanted to build a lead from the start but we changed our plan which shows the great versatility of the group.”

And rivals, watch out: there is still improvement to come, with Brooke Pratley and Pauline Frasca set to return from injury for the next World Cup event later this month.

The women’s eight has never won a medal at an Olympic Games in three attempts and are keen to amend that record in 2008.

Meanwhile the men’s eight led from start to finish to celebrate a perfect start to their 2008 campaign.

The crew amassed a boat length lead after just 500m and held off to win by half a length in 6:05:38 ahead of Great Britain and China.

The men’s eight crew is considered a top medal prospect at the Beijing Olympics in August this year.

The Australian rowing team are now at a two-week training camp in Varese, Italy ahead of the second World Cup event in Switzerland from May 30 to June 1.

MEDIA: Stephen Danckert at UQ SPORT (07 3346 7520)

For images of Sally Kehoe and Sam Conrad please contact Stephen Danckert.