NSWIS para-rowers power onto the podium in Italy

Australia’s para-rowers had a strong start to their international season over the weekend, with NSWIS athletes contributing to five of the nine medals won at the FISA International Para-Rowing Regatta in Gavirate, Italy.

Capping off a two-week camp, the Australian team finished with a total of four gold, four silver and one bronze medal; enough to be crowned the overall winners of the points score at the event.

NSWIS’ James Talbot and Ben Gibson combined to take home two silver medals in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four and a bronze in the PR3 Men’s Pair.

Adding to the Institute’s tally was five-time PR1 Men’s Single Scull World Champion Erik Horrie, who picked up two silver medals in his first international races of the season. Horrie will now continue his training in Europe ahead of World Cup II in Poznan, Poland in late June.

Forming part of Australia’s support team for the Regata were NSWIS staff members Lizzi Chapman (PR3 Coach), Jason Baker (PR1 Coach) and Damien O’Meara (Biomechanist).