August 25, 2016
by Bronwyn Marquardt*
UPDATE: No luck for the Aussies tonight but still a huge effort by Tessa and her crewmates!
As Australians welcome their Olympians home and count down to the Paralympics, they’re probably unaware another world class sporting event is underway … and a South Burnett athlete is in the hot seat.
Former St Mary’s Catholic College student Tessa Carty will be rowing in the finals at the World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam in the early hours of Friday (August 26).
Tessa, 21, is a member of the Under 23 Women’s Quadruple Scull, which streamed through to the finals just behind France and ahead of Great Britain and China earlier this week.
Tessa and her mum Sue, who is also well-known as a former St Mary’s teacher, said they were thrilled with the performance, which was achieved despite driving rain and windy conditions in both the heats and repecharge.
“There were tears,” Sue admitted, saying the tension of the week had “almost killed” her.
The repechage decided which team would make it to the A+ finals.
Tessa was part of the team which took home a silver medal in last year’s World Championships in Bulgaria, coming second to Poland.
Late last year she was named Queensland’s best female rower in the State, at just 20 years of age.
Until March, she had been training for the Rio Olympics, but just missed out. However, that gave her more time to focus on Rotterdam.
“Things happen for a reason,” Sue said. “Tess is out to improve on the silver from 2015. We’re all so proud of her.”
The mum and daughter duo were at St Mary’s – Sue for 16 years and Tessa for 11 – before the family moved to Bundaberg.
Tessa still lists Kingaroy as her hometown on her official Rowing Australia athlete profile, and returns regularly to visit her grandparents Beryl and Bob on the family farm.
Last year, Tessa inspired students at the annual St Mary’s College Awards Night with her story of jumping at the opportunities life gives and working hard for one’s dreams.
It was at Bundaberg that Tessa was identified by a Queensland Academy of Sport scout as being a perfect build for rowing.
The former arts and drama fan had never even picked up an oar, but, in spite of finding the sport tricky initially, she proved to be a natural.
She was invited to train at the QAS headquarters in Brisbane, a big move for a country girl.
And, as well as early morning starts and living away from her close-knit family, there have been other sacrifices as well.
Rowing is not traditionally a well-sponsored sport, and last year and again this year, Tessa’s family was forced to open GoFundMe accounts to help get her to the World Championships to represent her country.
She has also held-down a job and continued her studies while training for the world championships, and possibly, the Tokyo Olympics.
But for now Tessa and her team-mate from last year’s final Rowena Meredith, will be joined by Bridget Badenoch and Caitlin Cronin to race for Australia early tomorrow.
Tessa believes that under coach Ben Southwell, they have every chance to win gold.
But in her team’s case, they are already winners.
- While the championships are at this stage not being televised live, fans can tune in to the livestream on YouTube at 1:30am Friday (August 26)
* Bronwyn blogs at Maid In Australia
