Elyse Fraser, who was a promising thrower in athletics before she switched to rowing five years ago, is now on the verge of breaking into the elite international echelon in her new sport.
Fraser (21), a fourth-year psychology and physical education student at the University of Otago, is one of eight Otago University rowers given spots in Regional Performance Centres this summer.
Fraser followed her mother, Jan Brosnahan, into the sport five years ago and has never looked back.
Her mother was a member of the Port Chalmers United women's crew that won silver medals in the quadruple sculls and the coxless four at the World Masters Games in Sydney last month.
Fraser was a member of the Otago University double sculls that won silver medals in the club double sculls and the senior coxless four at the New Zealand championships at Lake Karapiro last year.
She competed at the World University Rowing championships at Belgrade last year.
Fraser is teamed with fellow physical education student Sarah Lindley in the double sculls this year and they are expected to make their mark at the national championships.
Lindley comes from Arrowtown and started rowing with the Wakatipu club before beginning her studies in Dunedin.
She won a silver medal in the club four at this year's national championships at Lake Ruataniwha and was a member of the Otago University eight that competed in South Africa.
Fiona Bourke, who started rowing as a novice at the Otago University in 2007, won a gold medal in the novice double sculls at the national championships at Lake Karapiro last year.
She added a silver medal in the club four at Lake Ruataniwha this year and competed in the Otago University eight in South Africa.
Aynsley Moore, from Oamaru, started coxing at the University of Otago last year, and won a silver medal at this year's national champs in the women's coxed four.
Moore made her international debut in the University transtasman series against Australia last year.
Genevieve Behrent, from Invercargill, started rowing for Otago University this year and was a member of the Otago University eight in South Africa.
The three male members - Fergus Fauvel, Alistair Bond, Todd Hale - were all members of the Otago University eight that contested the Chengdu International Universities Invitation regatta in China this year.
Seven of the rowers will be based at the Regional Performance Centre in Christchurch and Hale in Auckland.
Sparc has allocated $1,000,000 to be shared by the four Regional Performance Centres and each rower will receive $1000 to help with accommodation costs.
The other two RPC's are at Waikato and Central (from Wanganui to Marlborough).
A High Performance Centre is based at the University of Otago Aquatics Centre during the university year.
The Otago Rowing Club's Wilson Memorial Regatta, that was to be held on the Taieri River at Henley today, has been cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions.
Rowers selected
For Regional Performance Centre Training
RPC South: Elyse Fraser (under-23), Fiona Bourke (under-23), Sarah Lindley (under-21), Genevieve Behrent (under-21), Aynsley Moore (coxswain), Fergus Fauvel (premier), Alistair Bond (lightweight).
Auckland RPC: Todd Hale (under 21)
