It’s been a year to remember for SASI rowers, proving they have what it takes to be the world’s best in the lead up to Paris 2024.

The new pairing of Jed Altschwager and Nikki Ayers has proven to be a dominant force in Para-rowing.

They’ve achieved phenomenal success on the water, kicking off an outstanding season with gold medal wins in the PR3 Mixed Double Sculls at the International Para Regatta and World Cup II.

They backed these performances up by earning a World Championship title in Belgrade, Serbia at the World Rowing Championships.

Battling through rough conditions, Jed and Nikki emerged victorious in the A Final on the Ada Ciganlija Regatta Course with a time of 8:07.07, with the USA and defending world champion France placing second and third respectively.

“We knew it was going to be tricky conditions and rough, that you would need to stick to the basics,” Altschwager said.

“We knew there was going to be some mistakes and errors, and not let that get ahead of us, just get on to the next stroke.

“Our first three strokes weren’t too pretty, but we got onto it, started to pull away and went from there.”

Nikki and Jed finally reflected on what had been a gruelling season in the boat.

“It’s one of – if not the most – proudest moments in my life,” Ayers said.

“To share that with Jed, knowing both our families back home are supporting us – and our families have been on that journey with us late at night, watching us and yelling at that TV – it is a super proud moment to be Australian and wear the green and gold.

“Now the Gold World Champion’s medal [is] around our necks.”

The dynamic duo’s win has now qualified Australia’s boat in the event for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

It was fantastic to have multiple SASI athletes come away with medals from the World Championships, where both the Women’s and Men’s Eight teams finished with bronze medals and qualified their boats for Paris 2024.

For the Women’s Eight, Olympia Aldersey and Molly Goodman played key roles in a team that came so close to winning gold, leading all countries at the 1000m mark.

Romania charged ahead by a mere 0.44 seconds in the third 500 to win gold, while a late push by the United States pushed them to silver and the Australians to bronze with a time of 6:04.17.

Angus Dawson proved to be an integral part of the Men’s Eight team, which also led for majority of the race but found itself in an arms race against Great Britain and The Netherlands, ultimately finishing third with a time of 5:26.65.