Fierce competition awaits five NSWIS rowers

Five NSWIS rowers will be part of the Australian Men’s Rowing Eight racing to keep their Rio Olympic dream alive in the final race of the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. 

Dubbed the ‘Regatta of Death’, veteran of Australian rowing and silver medallist in the coxless four at the London Olympics James Chapman will be joined by fellow NSWIS rowers Joshua Hicks, Nick Purnell, James Medway and Charles Risbey as well as cox Stuart Sim, Scott Laidler, Tim Masters and Fergus Pragnell to try and help the Aussies qualify for Rio on Tuesday. 

After missing qualification at last year’s world championship, the Men’s Eight will be pressing for their Olympic qualification against crews from Spain, Italy, Poland and the United States and must finish in the top two to qualify for the Rio Games. 

As a precursor to Tuesday’s race, the race for lanes was held on Sunday with the Aussies placing third by a narrow 1.27 seconds behind Italy, while the USA claimed the win. 

The Aussies had powered out of the start and took the lead early on, showing a glimpse of what will be possible for Tuesday’s final. However the USA made their move at the 1500m mark, responding to the Australian charge as they rowed to the line first, Italy edging the Aussies for second place. 

Joining the Australian Men’s Eight in last ditch attempts to qualify for Rio are the Australian Women’s Eight, Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls and Men’s Single Sculls. 

The finals are scheduled for 2.10am AEST on Wednesday May 25.