Sport
Awesome view has Hardcastle primed to win
25Jul06
Two-time Olympian Peter Hardcastle.
NOT simply content to just row along Middle Harbour, Mosman Rowing Club member Peter Hardcastle has bought a houseboat to get a closer appreciation for the majestic waters.
The two-time Olympian is deep into preparations for next week's World Rowing Championships in Eton, England.
He is hoping to turn a bronze medal won at a recent World Cup meet in Munich into gold at the championships.
But before he can do that, Hardcastle is adjusting to life on the waters at Pearl Bay, off Clontarf Marina.
``I love rowing so I've bought a new house boat,'' the Davidson resident said.
``I sit out there from time to time and fall asleep on the water.
``There's nothing better than waking up to the views of Sugarloaf Bay and Bantry Bay around you.
``It's just beautiful and very relaxing.''
Hardcastle is hoping to turn that content frame of mind into podium action at the World Championships.
The recently named NSW Rowing Oarsman of the Year is confident his quadruple sculls team can deliver the goods in England.
``At the moment the build-up is going well, I'm relaxed and the crew I'm in is training really well,'' Hardcastle said.
``The first thing is making a final and then going from there.
`Definitely the crew combinations we are in are worthy of a medal,'' Hardcastle said.
He gained his gong from NSW Rowing after winning at state titles last season.
He was also second at the 2006 Australian Championships at Lake Barrington in Tasmania.
``It was a good achievement,'' Hardcastle said of the award.
``It's great to be honoured that way. I didn't really expect it.''
At the Sydney Games in 2000, Hardcastle was fourth in the quadruple sculls final and was a semi-finalist at the Athens Olympics two years ago.
The Australian rowing team will head to Varese in Italy on August 5 for a final training camp ahead of the World Championships in England.
