The Australian adaptive rowing team has claimed two gold, one silver and a bronze medal, with a superb performance at the International Adaptive Regatta held on 14 and 15 May on Lake Varese, near the European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy.

AIS athletes Kathryn Ross and John Maclean led the way for the Australian team, winning double gold in two separate finals of the trunk and arms double scull events.

Ross and Maclean, who won the silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, were recently reunited in the boat and were in great form at this regatta with two victories over current world champions Ukraine.

In the first final, Ross and Maclean beat Ukraine by a boat length, displaying explosive speed at both the start and finish of the race. In the second final they held off a strong comeback from a rejuvenated Ukrainian crew.

In the men’s arms and shoulders single scull, AIS athlete Eric Horrie (Qld) claimed the bronze medal, edging out AIS team-mate Ben Houlison (NSW) by just one second.

However, Houlison’s fortune changed on the second day of competition, claiming the silver behind a Russian sculler, with Horrie finishing in fifth place.

The adaptive rowers trained hard at the European Training Centre in Gavirate under the guidance of AIS/National Senior Coach for Adaptive Rowing, Chad King.

After the regatta, King said the results were a step in the right direction.

'We had a solid week of training under our belts after arriving in Europe six days ago.

'The guys were not fresh at all, so to come away with four medals against some quality opposition is a good start.

'We faced a number of international medallists in both categories of racing and the whole squad is now looking forward to World Cup 1.’

The Australian team will continue its training at the European Training Centre over the next week, before heading to Munich, Germany, to compete at World Cup 1.