Following confirmation from Rowing New Zealand High Performance director Alan Cotter the mighty All-Black 8+ are on a collision course with the sunny canals of the Gold Coast a fired up crew of Australian Olympic Medalists.
"Rowing needs these types of made for television events to lift its profile and show the public what its like to be onboard" James Marburg Olympic Silver Medallist Beijing Mens 4 said.
Tight unit - Aussie 8 to be built around Olympic silver medal winning mens 4-
James' crew mates Frank Hegerty, Matt Ryan and Cameron McKenzie-McHarg will form the nucleus of the Australian team. Their preparation revolves around the twin goals of a 2009 World Championship in the Mens coxless four and driving Australia to victory at the Griffith University Paradise Regatta.
Bolstering the Aussie crew is none other than Olympic Games Gold Medalist Duncan Free who has recently returned to the competitive scene.
Duncan Free to race on his home waters of Surfers Paradise.
"As a former student its so great to see Griffith University getting behind this traditional university sport and giving it a real future on the Gold Coast" Duncan said. A lack of professional coaches on the Gold Coast has seem him rely heavily on volunteers throughout his rowing career.
"The 2010 Paradise Regatta Partnership plan Dave's put forward would see a clear pathway for the hundreds of youngsters rowing on the Gold Coast" Duncan added. Duncan brother Marcus coached the Griffith University 8+ in 2008.
Joining Duncan and the 4- will be 206cm giant Sam Conrad who's also back into it after Australian duties in the 8+ at Beijing. Both Sam's father and Grandfather represented Australia in olympic rowing making his Austalia's first 3rd generation rowing olympian.
Sam Conrad - Big future
Coxing the Australian crew will be Athens Olympic Bronze medal coxwain Michael Toon. "The layout provides a challenge for coxawins with corners and a bridge to negotiate. Its will be an interesting race to watch and compete in. Although I might have to tone it down a bit with the whole country listening!."
QAS head Coach and Olympian Tim Conrad will coordinate and coach the crew along with providing interviews and comment on the day. He is also coach of the Mens 4 so has a great knowlege of his athletes strenghts and weaknesses. "This will be a great crew and NZ will need to bring its top brass to be in the race." Tim said.
Genius at work - QAS Head Coach Tim Conrad
The final 2 Australian seats along with the New Zealand crew will be selected following the Rowing World Championships in Pozan, Poland August 23-30th.
Great excitement has infested the Australian rowing community at this one off televised match race between the Southern Hemisphere's two best eights.
Make sure your at the Gold Coast Arts Centre on October 10th 2009 to see a bit of sporting history in the making!
