Women’s Four, Women’s Eight and Erik Horrie . Photos courtesy of Rowing Australia.
AUSTRALIA has claimed five medals at World Rowing Cup in Varese, including gold for former Penrith rower Erik Horrie OAM OLY in the PR1 Men’s Single Sculls, and gold (Women’s Four) and bronze (Women’s Eight) for teams based at the Hancock Prospecting Women’s National Training Centre in Penrith.
Veteran Paralympian Horrie delivered a dominant performance in the Final, powering away from the field to secure his first World Cup win since 2022.
Silver medals were claimed by Jaime Ford, Eliza Gaffney, Gerogina Rowe OLY and Jacqueline Swick OLY in the Women’s Four.
The Women’s Eight (Emmie Frederico, Eliza Gaffney, Georgie Gleeson, Georgina Rowe OLY, Jaime Ford, Ella Bramwell, Jacqueline Swick OLY, Paige Barr OLY, Hayley Verbunt OLY Cox) added a Bronze to the tally, after battling through a highly competitive Final, finishing just behind Great Britain and the United States in a hard-fought sprint to the line.
Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE praised the team’s execution and composure, particularly the growing number of debutantes on the podium.
“It’s not just about the results. What’s pleasing is how these crews are going about it. They’re showing good length and good rhythm,” Thompson said.
“Erik (Horrie) was outstanding. We’ve got some new rowers on the podium, which is great to see. Crews controlled the races and squeezed on when they needed to.”
Some 17 athletes made their senior team debut in Varese, marking a generational shift in the squad.
The Australian Rowing Team will return to the start line in just under two weeks at the next stop of the World Rowing Cup series in Lucerne (June 27–29), where the team will look to build on the momentum from Italy.
“It’s about learning from race to race, and they come pretty quick,” Thompson said. They’ll be on the start line in 12 days. You have to be quick learners to be able to step up and build momentum through this tour.”
Australia finished fifth overall in the medal tally with two Gold, two Silver and one Bronze medal.
