Tomkins ignites spark at Australian Rowing Champs

Tomkins has been taking a rowing break ever since winning gold in the men’s pair at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Now back in national team mix, Tomkins took on 2004 pair partner and current World Champion, Drew Ginn in the pair. Ginn got the upper hand finishing first with the help of his 2006 partner, Duncan Free. Tomkins, with new partner Sam Conrad, finished fourth.

But Tomkins then rejoined former partner Ginn in the four and eight which led to two gold medals. The four, made up of Ginn, Tomkins, Free and Conrad, opened up much discussion about the possibility of a return of an Oarsome Foursome – the 1996 Olympic gold medal four that included Ginn and Tomkins.

In the speculation over what boat Ginn and Tomkins may end up in for the national team, Tomkins, 41, commented, “I don’t have many years left so it would be a great way to go out in Beijing (racing in the four).”

Stroking the eight for his home state, Victoria, Ginn led the team to winning the prestigious Kings Cup. Sitting further back in the boat, the Kings Cup win gave Tomkins his 15th title in this race.

At the other end of the rowing game, newcomer Pippa Savage surprised the field three times by taking out three gold medals. This included a winning partnership with Kerry Hore that toppled current World Champions in the women’s double, Liz Kell and Brooke Pratley. Savage also beat out her former heroes to win the women’s single.

“It’s been a good nationals, only last year I’d never been on the podium before,” said Savage.

The national championships also signalled a push by Australia to encourage more top level single scullers. The ‘Breaking the Drought’ talent identification programme looks for top high school rowers to be future single scullers for Australia. This programme is in reaction to a 50 year drought in which no Olympic or World Championship medals have been won by Australia in the women’s and men’s heavyweight single.

Already a family of three rowers have stepped into the fold. The Cook family, Sarah, 22, Ben, 19, and Emma, 17, are all involved in “Breaking the Drought”. Sarah has already represented Australia winning bronze last year at the World Rowing Championships in the women’s eight.

Elite rowers now move on to Australian national team selection trials which begin 13 April at the rowing venue of the 2000 Olympic Games, Penrith, Sydney.