Rowing: Dunedin student trio taking on best in world

Three Dunedin rowers will compete at the world university rowing championships in Russia following a "spur of the moment" decision to qualify.

Sarah Lindley (22), Kirsty Thompson (21) and Laura Tester (22), all living and studying in Dunedin, will head to Russia for the women's four and singles races from September 6 to 9.

Thompson and Lindley have teamed up with Aucklanders Kirstie James (23) and Esthie de Wet (22) - a snap decision made only four months ago.

The four women decided at the New Zealand university championships in April they would have a shot at rowing together for the first time, and Lindley said it turned out better than expected.

"Kirstie [James] approached us over the summer and ran it by us. So we thought we could see if we were fast enough to qualify.

"We jumped in that day, had a warm-up and qualified."

Apart from a five-minute warm-up, this was the first time the rowers had sat in a four together, and their success has meant a move to Dunedin for the two Auckland women.

They got together again six weeks ago, at the transtasman universities regatta at Lake Hayes, for a quick practice, and are now training up to 14 times a week, both on water and in the gym.

Lindley said the average day meant getting up before 5am, on the water in the Otago Harbour by 5.15am, and a meeting at the gym after studies.

Why?

Because they want to win.

"Obviously, we want to win. We're going to Russia to win."

During trainings, the four have been up to speed with past gold medallist times. This, and the fact New Zealand rowers dominated the water at the London Olympics, has made the women even more determined to prove themselves and get on the world rowing radar.

"Rowing is a tight community. You know most of them, and they have done so well."

Lindley said she had been talking to close friend and former rowing partner Fiona Burke, whose Olympic quadruple scull campaign came to a shuddering halt when her team "caught a crab".

"I had a good chat with her and she's pretty gutted about it. We had a nice casual chat."

Lindley's aim is to go to the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Fellow Otago rower Tester will compete in the women's lightweight singles at the university championships.

Tester and the other four rowers all competed in the eight to beat Australia at the transtasman competition last month.