Australia's women rowers have opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a bang with the eight storming to victory in Spain.
The "Rowsellas" finished the first World Cup regatta of the season, held in Seville, with two medals.
The eight led for much of the race to claim Australia's first women's international gold medal of the new Olympic cycle as they look to build on a fourth place finish in Paris.
Coached by Ellen Randell, the crew of Georgie Gleeson, Eliza Gaffney, Lily Triggs, Ella Bramwell, Samantha Morton, Paige Barr, Jaime Ford, Laura Gourley and coxswain Hayley Verbunt took the lead after 750 metres.
They were pressured by the Dutch while Great Britain, who are coached by Randell’s brother, Andy, sat in third.
But the Australians pulled away to cross the line in 6.08.35 seconds ahead of the Netherlands (6:09.76) with the Brits clocking 6:10.25.
“This is a new crew, some fresh faces. We're working at the chemistry, but it's clicking well, and this is massive confidence in the bank for what's to come,” said Morton.
The women's four claimed silver, edged by the Netherlands while Katherine Easton and Emmie Frederico crossed in fifth in the pair on the final day of racing.
Making her return to international racing, Tara Rigney, who placed fourth in the single scull at the Paris Olympics, won the B-final to finish ranked seventh overall.
While the Australian men won't race internationally until later in June, RA performance director Paul Thompson said the women were tracking well as they build towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
"The women's team have shown both their class and potential here in Seville,” Thompson said.
“The eight and four are fighting at the front of the field, the pair is in the A Final, Tara has improved with each race as she comes back from a break and the youngsters in the quad were competitive.
“The racing always gets tighter as the season progresses and the women can prepare for that with confidence from what they achieved in Seville.”
Australia's male athletes depart for Europe on Saturday with all rowers on deck for World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland on June 27-28.
