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One is a seasoned campaigner, a four-time Paralympian. The other has been rowing for just two years. But together they are out to make history by aiming for a final in the P2 mixed double sculls.
Kathryn Ross, the extrovert who seems to know everyone at the regatta centre, and Simon Albury, the introvert who is finding his feet in this new world, will represent Australia later this week.
Ross has experience that most people can only envy, having competed at every Paralympic regatta since the sport was introduced at the Paralympics in 2008. In what is now known as the P2 mixed double sculls, she has a silver medal in possession from Beijing along with gold, silver and bronze medals at World Championships. She was also named the Rowing Australia Female Rower of the Year in 2014 and Para-athlete of the Year in 2019.
On the flip side, Simon Albury only took up rowing in 2019. He was looking for a way to remain fit and found the sport a good choice. He teamed up with Christine McLaren who quickly identified Albury had a talent in the boat. With the mixed double sculls in mind, he competed at the Rowing Australia trials in February 2021 in the single sculls and won, earning himself a spot in the boat with Ross.
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The journey didn’t get easier from there though. The duo were forced to head to Italy against the backdrop of the COVID-pandemic and compete at the Gavirate regatta in order to qualify for the Paralympics, which they did when they came second in the final.
While the trip was time consuming and laborious, considering the logistics of leaving the country and the returning quarantine requirements, it became a blessing in disguise giving them more time in the boat together to form their partnership.
Lincoln Handley, the coach charged with leading this team, said the experience was a valuable one for both athletes. They learnt a lot about rowing together, and Albury especially picked up on a number of improvements to focus on leading into the Paralympics.
“Simon’s just learning about it (rowing) and getting a better understanding of what’s required technically and his confidence is slowly growing.
“The good thing is that when people are learning and they are committed to something the learning pathway is really quick.”
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As COVID issues and border restrictions continued to impact their preparation, both Ross in Canberra and Albury in Adelaide had to continue their preparations solo.
Ross continued working with her coach, Renae Domaschenz, who is also the coxswain for the PR3 mixed coxed four, in the ACT where she also works as an ER nurse. Having the local support means that Kat’s schedule can adapt around her shift work at the hospital.
“It’s working (her training with Renae in Canberra). I trust Kat, she’s been around and that’s why it’s working with Renae too,” Albury said.
Albury meanwhile continued training with Christine guiding his development, which Handley has incredibly high praise for considering the learning curve he has been on.
“Christine has done an absolutely outstanding job,” he said.
“I’ve pretty much left it up to them and their daily training although there has been more communication and that sort of thing.”
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The aim is to make everything as simple as possible. Being Albury’s first Paralympics and the associated noise that comes with a live televised regatta, something he hasn’t experienced before, ensuring the noise isn’t a distraction is key. Likewise for Ross, being her fourth Paralympics, the desire to go one better than in 2008 still burns bright.
Handley says making the final would be an outcome to celebrate. With competition starting on Friday we won’t have long to wait and see just how far this crew have come.
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 26 August 2021
