Australia to challenge Great Britain for Rowing Glory

Over 90 athletes will compete in four Rowing medal events at Eton Dorney at the London Paralympics © • Getty Images

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“We’re definitely there for medals – we’re not going there to make up the numbers. Anyone on that start line or in the A-final will be our main competition, the field of competition is pretty deep."

Ross was named on Wednesday (20 June) alongside her double trunk and arms scull partner Gavin Bellis and Erik Horrie for the single scull in what the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) believes is the strongest team yet, and able to win Australia’s first ever gold medal in Paralympic Rowing.

“We expect the rowing competition in London to be tough, particularly from the home country Great Britain, but Australia has never shied away from a challenge and I look forward to watching the three days of competition unfold,” said 2012 Team Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig.

Australian Paralympic Rowing Head Coach Chad King believes his team is capable of something special in London.

“We’re definitely there for medals – we’re not going there to make up the numbers. Anyone on that start line or in the A-final will be our main competition, the field of competition is pretty deep,” King said.

“They’re all very skillful and professional in their own way. They all bring something different to the team and collectively they’ve made a lot of headway in the last 18 months and I believe can still make a little more in the next couple.”

Thirty-year-old Ross and former partner John Maclean made history in 2008 when the pair won silver to claim Australia’s first and only rowing medal at the sport’s first ever Paralympic Games.

Now with four solid years of preparation at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) behind her, Ross and new partner Bellis are on track for a medal in London, having recently won gold at the World Cup 3 in Munich, Germany.

The pair only formed as a team earlier this year, with Bellis, a former army officer, having earned his place on the team after out-racing Ross’ Beijing partner, John Maclean at a selection regatta in April.

Horrie is also a strong medal contender, having won gold in the single scull at Munich’s World Cup 3 event. Three years ago the 32-year-old was a member of the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team before moving himself and his family from Queensland to the AIS to train full time in rowing.

In London, 96 athletes will compete across four medal events on the waters of Eton Dorney at Buckinghamshire from 31 August – 2 September.