Australia could have a fresh medal source at the Los Angeles Olympics after Isabella Scammell's historic gold in a rowing discipline set to debut at the Games.
Scammell claimed the country's first title at the World Rowing beach sprint finals in China, prevailing in a dramatic women's coastal solo.
The sport, which involves rowing out and back around a buoy in between beach sprints to start and finish the race, will be among the new disciplines to debut at LA's 2028 Games.
Australia's team, known as the Rowsellas, added senior silver and a bronze at the Qingdao meet.
Sam Forbes beat three-time world champion Chris Bak in the quarter-finals on his way to silver in the men's coastal solo.
The Queenslander then teamed up with Elizabeth Newell, Dan Johnston, Catherine Khan and coxswain Ryder Taylor to finish third in the mixed quadruple sculls.
Rowing Australia performance boss Paul Thompson described it as a "coming of age" meet.
“Golden Bella Scammell was magnificent as was super Sam Forbes coming home with two senior medals, back-to-back bronze medals in the mixed quad and (under-19 solo silver medallist) Maddi McLaughlin's mastery of the surf," he said.
“These results don’t come without outstanding coaching and committed and skilled support staff."
Qualification for the LA Games begins next year.
