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Far from being daunted by history, veteran Australian rower James Chapman is embracing the high-stakes scenario his crew face in their last-ditch effort to qualify the men’s eight for the Rio Olympics.
An Australian men’s eight has made the start line at every Olympics since 1948.
Missing out on qualification at last year’s world championships in France, the big boat – along with the women’s eight, women’s lightweight double and Rhys Grant in the men’s single scull – head to Switzerland this month for their final chance to get to Rio.
“Most of us like competing at this elite level because we enjoy what the pressure brings out,” said 36-year-old Chapman, a London Olympic silver medallist in the coxless four.
“I like what the pressure brings out in me – the way it galvanises my resolve, the way the adrenaline and endorphins coarse through the veins.”
The eight need to finish top-two at the regatta in Lucerne on May 22-24 where they’ll face strong competition from similarly desperate crews from the United States, Poland, Italy and France.
Chapman, Fergus Pragnell, Nick Purnell and Scott Laidler will back up from their failed French campaign while Tim Masters, Joshua Hicks, James Medway, Charles Risbey and cox Stuart Sim have been added to the boat.
The newcomers have all come off recent stints at US colleges, and Chapman believes the youthful injection is just what might deliver the speed they need in Europe.
Living side-by-side near their training base on the Nepean River at Penrith in Sydney has also brought the squad closer together for their hit-and-run mission.
“It kind of allows us to be in the bubble we need to be in,” Chapman said.
“It creates a vibe and a camaraderie and an atmosphere that we can build something for a very high pressure performance.
“It really makes sure everyone’s focus is really narrow on one race because it’s very much a one-shot, one-kill kind of effort from all the boys.
“If we don’t come top-two the season is over.”
The crew fly out on Tuesday for the “Regatta of Death” in Lucerne.
Australia has seven boats already booked for the Olympics.