Australia's biggest ever Henley Royal Regatta contingent arrived at the world-famous venue today fresh from two days' of training at the 2012 Olympic venue at Dorney Lake, Eton, and a visit to the 2012 rowing athletes' village at Royal Holloway College.
The 43-strong team became the talk of the Regatta's boathouses today as other nations wondered just how formidable a force the Antipodeans might prove here.
Australia is using Henley as part of its build up to the World Championships later this year where all nations will seek to qualify as many boats as they can for 2012 and has brought most of its strong Olympic medal contenders to Henley.
"It's worked out perfectly for us to be able to row here at Henley and then the world cup finals in Lucerne next weekend", said Ray Ebert the team manager. "It's the first time since 2006 that we've been here and we're really looking forward to it".
Great Britain, Germany, the USA and other rowing power-houses will be very interested to see the Australians on the water. "I've been down here training a couple of times this week but I haven't spotted them yet", said Beijing gold medallist Tom James from the GB Rowing Team men's four who know the Aussies could be a threat in the Stewards' Challenge Cup.
The Australians may also be a little nervous until they have some early racing under their belts on the challenging Henley course. Today one of their fancied club crews from Melbourne, Mercantile R.C., went out in the morning session to Taurus R.C.
After today's full sessions of good school, club, college and University rowing, tomorrow's programme includes some big international guns appearing for the first time this year.
Andrew Triggs Hodge and Pete Reed, the GB men's pair and world silver medallists, open their campaign against Steve Hemsworth and Tim Porter of Worcester Rowing Club in the Silver Goblets and Nickalls' Challenge Cup tomorrow.
Triggs Hodge, captain of Molesey Boat Club, will no doubt also want to debrief two of his club's other men's pairs who are racing their top opposition from Greece and Italy elsewhere in the draw.
Some attention may also fall on Alan Campbell in the Diamond Challenge Sculls. The Ulsterman was, by his own high standards, distinctly under par in the last world cup single sculls event and will want to test his racing speed and endurance here whilst seeking a third title.
For further information contact the Henley Royal Regatta Press Office on (01491) 572 153 or (01491) 579387