2003 World Championships- Milan Italy

Selection

The men's selections were reasonably straight forward with enough depth to plan to qualify all crews.

Duncan Free was initially intended to be in a crew but illness during the trials prevented that course of action. However this had the fortunate side effect of qualifying all crews and giving Duncan another chance at a single scull medal. The men's double and the men's quad were selected. The double came a close second in Lucerne and therefore started at the Worlds as our best sculling boat.

The selection of the men's pair was hampered by illness during the trials and they were not the fastest crew at the nationals. The men's lightweight double scull selection was straight forward.

Squads were then selected for the other crews. The next sweep boat to be selected was the eight. The selectors also picked a coxless four based in Sydney in the hope of getting it qualified. The coxless four produced good trial regatta racing results and in the end nearly won a medal — it out-performed expectations.

The coxed pair was to be comprised of the reserves but relocation costs were taken into account with the pair being the 9th and 13th ranked oarsmen, both from Western Australia. Injuries to Ben Cureton unfortunately caused him to withdraw from the four. George Jelbart was intended to be in the lightweight pair but the change to the four left him without a partner. He therefore sculled in the single and performed well.

The women's sweep boats were prioritised with the eight first with the pair second drawn from the eight squad. The sweep rowers were based in Sydney under Alan Bennett and Harld Jahrling and the scullers in Canberra under Lyall McCarthy. The lightweights were based in Adelaide under Adrian David. The lightweight double was of course the priority lightweight boat with the others providing the squad from which to select the 2004 crew.

The results were very good and hold the team in good stead for 2004.

Results—Men

Men's Single Scull

E1: 1st GER, 2nd BUL, 3rd SVK, 4th USA, 5th UZB
E2: 1st SLO, 2nd ARG, 3rd FRA, 4th LAT
E3: 1st CZE, 2nd AUT, 3rd DEN, 4th GRE
E4: 1st NOR, 2nd ITA, 3rd GBR, 4th FIN
E5: 1st AUS, 2nd UKR, 3rd EGY, 4th SIN
E6: 1st SUI, 2nd NED, 3rd EST, 4th BEL, 5th KOR
R1: 1st BUL, 2nd FRA, 3rd GRE
R2: 1st ARG, 2nd FIN, 3rd DEN
R3: 1st AUT, 2nd GBR, 3rd KOR, 4th SIN
R4: 1st ITA, 2nd BEL, 3rd EGY, 4th UZB
R5: 1st EST, 2nd UKR, 3rd USA
R6: 1st NED, 2nd SVK, 3rd LAT
SFD/E1: 1st USA, 2nd GRE, 3rd UZB, 4th KOR
SFD/E2: 1st EGY, 2nd DEN, 3rd LAT, 4th SIN
SFABC1: 1st SLO, 2nd CZE, 3rd EST, 4th ITA, 5th FRA, 6th SVK
SFABC2: 1st NOR, 2nd AUS, 3rd NED, 4th BUL, 5th FIN, 6th GBR
SFABC3: 1st GER, 2nd AUT, 3rd ARG, 4th SUI, 5th UKR, 6th BEL
Final E: 25th KOR, 26th SIN
Final D: 19th USA, 20th EGY, 21st DEN, 22nd LAT, 23rd GRE, 24th UZB
Final C: 13th SVK, 14th FIN, 15th FRA, 16th UKR, 17th BEL, 18th GBR
Final B: 7th EST, 8th ARG, 9th NED, 10th ITA, 11th SUI, 12th BUL
Final: 1st NOR, 2nd GER, 3rd SLO, 4th CZE, 5th AUS, 6th AUT

Duncan Free had some excellent racing at this regatta winning his heat and finishing second to the gold medallist in the cut throat semi finals where only two progressed. Duncan had a good start in the final but could not keep with the extremely fast pace set by the three leading scullers. The race was sensational for the medals but left the others in the field in a different race.

Men's Double Scull

E1: 1st ITA, 2nd CUB, 3rd USA, 4th BRA
E2: 1st GBR, 2nd NOR, 3rd POL, 4th SVK
E3: 1st BEL, 2nd GER, 3rd UKR, 4th BLR, 5th RUS
E4: 1st CZE, 2nd ZLTU, 3rd EST, 4th SWE
E5: 1st AUS, 2nd SLO, 3rd NED, 4th KAZ
E6: 1st FRA, 2nd HUN, 3rd GRE, 4th CRO, 5th MLD
R1: 1st HUN, 2nd SWE, 3rd NED, 4th RUS
R2: 1st EST, 2nd SLO, 3rd BLR
R3: 1st LTU, 2nd SVK, 3rd UKR
R4: 1st GER, 2nd POL, 3rd BRA, 4th MLD
R5: 1st USA, 2nd NOR, 3rd CRO
R6: 1st CUB, 2nd GRE, 3rd KAZ
SFD/E1: 1st NED, 2nd UKR, 3rd CRO, 4th MLD
SFD/E2: 1st BLR, 2nd RUS, 3rd BRA, 4th KAZ
SFABC1: 1st ITA, 2nd GBR, 3rd NOR, 4th LTU, 5th GER, 6th GRE
SFABC2: 1st CZE, 2nd SLO, 3rd CUB, 4th USA, 5th SWE, 6th BEL
SFABC3: 1st FRA, 2nd AUS, 3rd EST, 4th Hun, 5th POL, 6th SVK
Final E: 25th KAZ, 26th MLD
Final D: 19th NED, 20th BLR, 21st UKR, 22nd BRA, 23rd RUS, 24th CRO
Final C: 13th POL, 14th BEL, 15th SWE, 16th SVK, 17th GER, 18th GRE
Final B; 7th HUN, 8th CUB, 9th EST, 10th USA, 11th LTU, 12th NOR
Final: 1st FRA, 2nd ITA, 3rd CZE, 4th SLO, 5th GBR, 6th AUS

The double had a great race at Lucerne coming a narrow second and so looked forward to a good regatta in Milan. They started well with a heat win and a second placing in the semi final to the gold medallist and ended up in lane 6. The crew started well in the final but were unable to settle well in the outside lane. The result of sixth was a disappointment to them.

Men's Quad Scull

E1: 1st RUS, 2nd CZE, 3rd URU, 4th NOR, 5th GRE
E2: 1st POL, 2nd BLR, 3rd AUS, 4th FRA, 5th USA
E3: 1st ITA, 2nd SUYI, 3rd NED, 4th CHN, 5th HUN
E4: at GER, 2nd GBR, 3rd EST, 4th UKR, 5th AUT, 6th SLO
R1: 1st CZE, 2nd AUS, 3rd CHN, 4th AUT
R2: 1st BLR, 2nd NED, 3rd UKR, 4th GRE
R3: 1st SUI, 2nd EST, 3rd USA, 4th NOR
R4: 1st FRA, 2nd GBR, 3rd HUN, 4th URU, 5th SLO
SFC/D1: 1st USA, 2nd CHN, 3rd URU, 4th GRE
SFC/D2: 1st UKR, 2nd AUT, 3rd SLO, 4th HUN
SF1: 1st AUS, 2nd ITA, 3rd RUS, 4th EST, 5th FRA, 6th BLR
SF2: 1st POL, 2nd CZE, 3rd GER, 4th SUI, 5th NED, 6th GBR
Final D: 19th HUN, 20th GRE
Final C: 13th UKR, 14th USA, 15th CHN, 16th AUT, 17th URU, 18th SLO
Final B: 7th EST, 8th FRA, 9th GBR, 10th SUI, 11th BLR, 12th NED
Final: 1st GER, 2nd CZE, 3rd POL, 4th AUS, 5th RUS, 6th ITA

This was our third priority crew which raced very well and probably should have won a medal. The heat and repechage were unconvincing but the semi final was great. In the end it was a matter of so close yet so far in the final. They started excellently and were well placed in the middle of the race when they caught a crab and lost a length. They recovered brilliantly but in this standard of racing it was too much to make up the distance lost. This will be a great crew in 2004.

Men's Lightweight Single Scull

E1: 1st GBR, 2nd AUS, 3rd USA, 4th JPN
E2: 1st CZE, 2nd RUS, 3rd BUL, 4th DOM
E3: 1st GER, 2nd SLO, 3rd CHI, 4th DEN, 5th SIN
E4: 1st HUN, 2nd ALG, 3rd ESP, 4th TUN
E5: 1st ITA, 2nd IRL, 3rd GUA, 4th HKG
E6: 1st SVK, 2nd POR, 3rd IND, 4th COL
R1: 1st POR, 2nd GUA, 3rd TUN, 4th SIN
R2: 1st DEN, 2nd IRL, 3rd ESP
R3: 1st ALG, 2nd CHI, 3rd DOM
R4: 1st SLO, 2nd BUL, 3rd JPN
R5: 1st USA, 2nd RUS, 3rd COL
R6: 1st AUS, 2nd HKG, 3rd IND
SFD/E1: 1st TUN, 2nd COL, 3rd DOM
SFD/E2: 1st ESP, 2nd JPN, 3rd IND, 4th SIN
SFABC1: 1st GBR, 2nd SLO, 3rd CZE, 4th RUS, 5th HKG, 6th ALG
SFABC2: 1st GER, 2nd Hun, 3rd AUS, 4th USA, 5th IRL, 6th GUA
SFABC3: 1st ITA, 2nd SVK, 3rd POR, 4th DEN, 5th CHI, 6th BUL
Final E: 25th SIN, 26th DOM
Final D: 19th JPN, 20th ESP, 21st IND, 22nd TUN, 23rd COL
Final C: 13th IRL, 14th ALG, 15th HKG, 16th CHI, 17th GUA, 18th BUL
Final B: 7th CZE, 8th AUS, 9th POR, 10th DEN, 11th USA, 12th RUS
Final: 1st ITA, 2nd GBR, 3rd GER, 4th SLO, 5th HUN, 6th SVK

George Jelbart was selected from the under 23 team as the reserve for the lightweight squad. His performance in the single was great and showed his potential.

Men's Lightweight Double Scull

E1: 1st ITA, 2nd AUS, 3rd CAN, 4th POR, 5th GUA
E2: 1st ESP, 2nd JPN, 3rd SUI, 4th CHN, 5th RUS
E3: 1st FRA, 2nd USA, 3rd BRA, 4th IND, 5th UKR
E4: 1st IRL, 2nd DEN, 3rd MEX, 4th ALG, 5th ARM
E5: 1st BEL, 2nd HUN, 3rd GRE, 4th TUR
E6: 1st GER, 2nd NXL, 3rd POL, 4th ARG
R1: 1st GRE, 2nd NZL, 3rd UKR, 4th ALG
R2: 1st HUN, 2nd RUS, 3rd MEX, 4th IND
R3: 1st DEN, 2nd CHN, 3rd BRA, 4th GUA
R4: 1st USA, 2nd SUI, 3rd POR
R5: 1st JPN, 2nd CAN, 3rd ARG
R6: 1st AUS, 2nd POR, 3rd TUR, 4th ARM
SFD/E1: 1st BRA, 2nd ARG, 3rd IND, 4th UKR, 5th ARM
SFD/E2: 1st POR, 2nd TUR, 3rd MEX, 4th GUAS, 5th ALG
SFABC1: 1st ITA, 2nd POL, 3rd ESP, 4th DEN, 5th USA, 6th CAN
SFABC2: 1st IRL, 2nd FRA, 3rd AUS, 4th JPN, 5th NZL, 6th RUS
SFABC3: 1st HUN, 2nd GER, 3rd SUI, 4th GRE, 5th BEL, 6th CHN
Final E: 25th UKR, 26th GUA, 27th ALG, 28th ARM
Final D: 19th POR, 20th TUR, 21st BRA, 22nd MEX, 23rd IND, 24th ARG
Final C: 13th USA, 14th BEL, 15th NZL, 16th CHN, 17th RUS, 18th CAN
Final B: 7th ESP, 8th DEN, 9th JPN, 10th AUS, 11th GRE, 12th SUI
Final: 1st UTA, 2nd POL, 3rd IRL, 4th FRA, 5th GER, 6th HUN

Clearly this was a disappointing result for our top lightweight crew. They raced well but in the cut throat semi finals, Haimish was not well and blacked out with metres to go and finished third.

Men's Lightweight Quad Scull

E1: 1st ITA, 2nd NED, 3rd FRA, 4th SUI
E2: 1st GER, 2nd AUS, 3rd ESP, 4th USA, 5th JPN
R1: 1st NED, 2nd SUI, 3rd ESP, 4th JPN
R2: 1st AUS, 2nd USA, 3rd FRA
Final B: 7th ESP, 8th FRA, 9th JPN
Final: 1st ITA, 2nd AUS, 3rd GER, 4th NED, 5th SUI, 6th USA

A great result from this young crew which has now confirmed their status as medallists.

Men's Lightweight Pair

E1: 1st ITA, 2nd CAN, 3rd IRL, 4th POR, 5th JPN, 6th RSA
E2: 1st DEN, 2nd GER, 3rd USA, 4th NED, 5th HUN
R1: 1st USA, 2nd NED, 3rd CAN, 4th RSA, 5th JPN
R2; 1st GER, 2nd IRL, 3rd POR
Final B: 7th CAN, 8th POR, 9th RSA, 10th JPN
Final: 1st DEN, 2nd GER, 3rd USA, 4th NED, 5th IRL, 6th ITA

Men's Lightweight Four

E1: 1st AUS, 2nd RUS, 3rd CAN, 4th FRA, 5th SCG
E2: 1st ITA, 2nd IRL, 3rd CHI, 4th CHN, 5th IND
E3: 1st NED, 2nd GER, 3rd GBR, 4th ESP, 5th JPN, 6th RSA
E4: 1st DEN, 2nd USA, 3rd POL, 4th UKR, 5th GRE
R1: 1st ESP, 2nd RUS, 3rd CHI, 4th GRE
R2: 1st IRL, 2nd GBR, 3rd UKR, 4th SCG
R3: 1st GER, 2nd POL, 3rd FRA, 4th RSA, 5th IND
R4: 1st CAN, 2nd USA, 3rd CHN, 4th JPN
SFC/D1: 1st JPN, 2nd FRA, 3rd SCG, 4th CHI, 5th IND
SFC/D2: 1st CHN, 2nd UKR, 3rd RSA, 4th GRE
SFABC1: 1st IRL, 2nd NED, 3rd CAN, 4th AUS, 5th RUS, 6th POL
SFAB2: 1st DEN, 2nd ITA, 3rd GER, 4th ESP, 5th USA, 6th GBR
Final D: 19th CHI, 20th GRE, 21st IND
Final C: 13th CHN, 14th FRA, 15th JPN, 16th SCG, 17th RSA, 18th UKR
Final B: 7th AUS, 8th USA, 9th ESP, 10th RUS, 11th GBR, 12th POL
Final: 1st DEN, 2nd NED, 3rd ITA, 4th GER, 5th CAN, 6th IRL

The four would have liked a better result but performed well all the same.

Men's Lightweight Eight

Final: 1st GER, 2nd USA, 3rd FRA, 4th DEN, 5th ITA, 6th GBR

Men's Coxless Pair

E1: 1st CAN, 2nd NZL, 3rd POL, 4th GER, 5th LAT
E2: 1st GBR, 2nd LTU, 3rd CUB, 4th BRA
E3: 1st CRO, 2nd EGY, 3rd RUS, 4th IND
E4: 1st ITA, 2nd SLO, 3rd ARG, 4th MLD, 5th UZB
E5: 1st AUS, 2nd CZE, 3rd USA, 4th ESP
E6: 1st RSA, 2nd SCG, 3rd NED, 4th BLR
R1: 1st NZL, 2nd CUB, 3rd IND, 4th UZB
R2: 1st LTU, 2nd RUS, 3rd MLD
R3: 1st ARG, 2nd ESP, 3rd EGY
R4: 1st SLO, 2nd USA, 3rd LAT, 4th BLR
R5: 1st CZE, 2nd GER, 3rd NED
R6: 1st SCG, 2nd BRA, 3rd POL
SFABC1: 1st GBR, 2nd CAN, 3rd BRA, 4th SLO, 5th GER, 6tth ARG
SFABC2: 1st CRO, 2nd ITA, 3rd CZE, 4th SCG, 5th CUB, 6th RUS
SFABC3: 1st AUS, 2nd RSA, 3rd NZL, 4th USA, 5th ESP, 6th LTU
Final E: 25th MLD, 26th EGY
Final D: 19th POL, 20th NED, 21st LAT, 22nd BLR, 23rd IND, 24th UZB
Final C: 13th LTU, 14th ARG, 15th CUB, 16th GER, 17th ESP, 18th RUS
Final B: 7th NZL, 8th SCG, 9th CZE, 10th SLO, 11th USA, 12th BRA
Final: 1st AUS, 2nd CRO, 3rd RSA, 4th GBR, 5th ITA, 6th CAN

Another great result from these champions. On a short tour and a preparation tailored to their needs, their greatness was evident. It was a dominating final where they won from the first stroke. The British crew were favourites but finished fourth.

Men's Coxed Pair

Final: 1st USA, 2nd AUS, 3rd CAN, 4th ITA, 5th EGY

Men's Coxless Four

E1: 1st CAN, 2nd NZL, 3rd POL, 4th DEN, 5th SCG, 6th ESP
E2: 1st ITA, 2nd USA, 3rd ROM, 4th EGY. 5th UKR, 6th LTU
E3: 1st GER, 2nd AUS, 3rd RUS, 4th FRA, 5th CZE
E4: 1st GBR, 2nd SLO, 3rd CRO, 4th CHN. 5th BUL
R1: 1st SLO, 2nd POL, 3rd EGY, 4th CZE
R2: 1st NZL, 2nd ROM, 3rd FRA, 4th ESP, 5th BUL
R3: 1st USA, 2nd RUS, 3rd CHN, 4th SCG, 5th LTU
R4: 1st AUS, 2nd DEN, 3rd CRO, 4th UKR
SFD/E1: 1st NED, 2nd BLR, 3rd IND, 4th EGY
SFD/E2: 1st POL, 2nd LAT, 3rd UZB, 4th MLD
SFC/D1: 1st FRA, 2nd CZE, 3rd CRO, 4th SCG, 5th BUL
SFC/D2: 1st CHN, 2nd LTU, 3rd ESP, 4th UKR
SF1: 1st GER, 2nd CAN, 3rd SLO, 4th USA, 5th ROM, 6th DEN
SF2: 1st GBR, 2nd ITA, 3rd AUS, 4th NZL, 5th POL, 6th RUS
Final D: 19th SCG, 20th UKR, 21st BUL
Final C: 13th FRA, 14th CRO, 15th ESP, 16th LTU, 17th CHN, 18th CZE
Final B: 7th USA, 8th RUS, 9th POL, 10th ROM, 11th NZL, 12th DEN
Final: 1st CAN, 2nd GBR, 3rd GER, 4th AUS, 5th ITA, 6th SLO

This crew were another highlight of the regatta as so little was expected of them but so much was achieved. They were a little slow in the first 500 metres of the heat and so missed out on a first placing that was theirs to grab. This error was rectified in subsequent racing with a win in the repechage and a third placing in the semi final. They raced very well in the final and very nearly won a medal. It was great result and credit to the coach and crew.