Dalmeny’s Nikki Ayers has told East Coast Radio she is still on a high after she and her rowing partner Jed Altschwager, won gold in the PR3 Mixed Double Sculls event at the World Rowing Cup in Italy over the weekend (June 18,19).
The pair overcame early leaders Brazil to put a gap of them in the final 500 mertres and take gold, setting a new world record of 07:07.02, and smashing the old one of 07:12.70.
“Ted and I were pretty excited, and we just wanted to stick to our race plan at the World Cup and we did that and came home with the gold,” Ayers said excitedly.
“To break the world’s best time is the cherry on top,” she exclaimed.
It sounds like the pair won’t be resting on their laurels though with the Paralympic Rower keen to get straight back into it.
“It doesn’t stop there though, we’re going to get home, get back into training and try to improve more technically, and go for the gold at world champs this year, where we need to qualify the boat for the games, then go for selections next year and aim for Paris.”
The 32-year-old said she received a huge amount of support from the South Coast Community.
“It was pretty exciting knowing I had so much support from the locals back home in Narooma, especially Kristy Beecham from Narooma Ice Creamery putting up some awesome good luck messages on the window.”
“Thanks so much to everyone back home for your support.”
Images: Nikki Ayers
