Tim O?Callaghan and the Aussie Lwt Sweep squad are now almost half way through their preparation for the World Championships to be held in Milan (Italy) later in August. The crew is currently training in Tasmania, with their main base centered out of Hobart. The crew also makes regular trips up to Lake Barrington (home of the 2003 Nationals) for intensive water training sessions on the lake and also on the bikes in the surrounding hills. The crew has had a couple of minor setbacks during their preparation with Ben Cureton (WAIS) having to withdraw due to injury and Simon Burgess (TIS) being out of the boat for period of time, recovering from muscle strain.
When asked how training was going, Tim had the following to say:
“Training is going well, although we have had a few injuries, Ben Cureton (WAIS) has been ruled out for the World Championships, allowing Rob Mitchell (UTS) to stepped up into Ben?s spot and Simon Burgess (TIS) has had a niggling back injury and has been alternating in out out of the boat with George Jelbart (MUBC/AIS), at this stage Simon will be right for the World Cup III Regatta, which is staged in Luzern (Switzerland).
The boat is running well and we are achieving our training objectives. It has also been good doing work against the Aussie lighty quad to gauge our own boat speed.”
The squad leaves Australia on 5th July, heading first to Luzern for the World Cup and then will continue further training at the Men?s Camp in Varase (Italy). The tour will come to an end with the World Championships in Milan (Italy) from 24th to 31st of August.
Tim is our first Senior A selection since Mike Wiseman (1997-99) and SUBC’s first in this premier lightweight boat. This is a solid step forward for Tim leading into Olympic selection in 2004, Good Luck Nipper, keep up the good work.