AUSSIE CHAMPS

YOU know about the Cairns-based Australian under-19 men’s white water rafting team that became world champions on the Tully River earlier this year — now meet their younger sisters striving to reach the same peak in 2020.

The Australian Rafting Federation R4 National Championships were held on the Barron River on Saturday, as teams vied for a chance to represent Australia at next year’s International Rafting Federation World Rafting Championships in China.

Bursting on to the national rafting scene in their first major tournament appearance after just seven weeks on the water together, the Aus Crocetts took out the U19 women’s division, defeating defending champions and fellow Cairns teenagers and schoolmates Aqua Amigos.

YOU know about the Cairnsbased Australian under-19 men’s white water rafting team that became world champions on the Tully River earlier this year – now meet their younger sisters striving to reach the same accolade in 2020.

The Australian Rafting Federation R4 National Championships were held on the Barron River last Saturday, with teams vying for a chance to represent Australia at next year’s International Rafting Federation World Rafting Championships in China.

Bursting onto the national rafting scene in their first major tournament appearance after just seven weeks on the water together, the Aus Crocetts took out the U19 women’s division, defeating defending champions and fellow Cairns teenagers and schoolmates Aqua Amigos.

Aus Crocetts captain Kassidy Willmot said the team, which was made up of the 14 and 15-year-old sisters of members of current U19 world champions the Aus Crocs, wanted to replicate the success of their older brothers.

“We’re all related to one of them and, funnily enough, we all sit in the same positions (in the raft),” she said.

“We’re so hoping that we reach their level.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved already and also what they’ve achieved as well.”

Willmot said the Aus Crocetts would train at least four times a week both on and off the river, ahead of the world championships next July.

She said the two teams would be pushing each other as part of their preparations.

“They are our competitors right now,” she said.

“We like to race them and try and beat them as much as we can but, as a team, we want to move together as one.”

Aus Crocs captain Liam Stephen, whose sister Rhylee is part of the Aus Crocetts, said he believed the girls had what it took to be world champions.

“They’ll get very close if they keep training the way they do,” he said.

“If they are becoming national champions after seven weeks of training, imagine what they can do in two years like our boys have. If they’re willing to do what they need to do, they’re going to be world champions for sure.”

Stephen said the Aus Crocs wanted to back up this year’s efforts on the Tully with another world title in China.

“We want to prove that we are not just a fluke,” he said.

“Our last world championships was on our local river. In China, we expect heaps of teams, big competition, big water and a lot of fun.”

Picture: STEWART MCLEAN SISTER ACT: The Crocetts (rear) trail the Aus Crocs at the Barron River. The Crocetts are the sisters of each Aus Crocs member, and both teams have qualified for the World Championsips in China. The U19s Girls (from left) Ciara Miller, Hannah McClarty, Kassidy Willmott and Rhylee Stephen follow their brothers in the U19’s Boys team Cooper Miller, Jacob McClarty, Lachlan Willmott and Liam Stephen.

Picture: STEWART MCLEAN NATIONAL CHAMPS: Cairns-based boys and girls U19 rafting teams have won the Australian Rafting Championships on the Barron River to qualify for the 2020 R4 World Rafting Championships in China.