Born: 1971 (Adelaide, South Australia)
Kate Elizabeth Slatter OAM (born 10 November 1971; married name Kate Allen) is an Australian former rower, a sixteen-time national champion, world champion, and Olympic champion from Adelaide, South Australia. She is a three-time Olympian who, in 1996, won Australia’s first Olympic gold in women’s rowing.
Slatter began her rowing career at the Adelaide University Boat Club in 1989. Just two weeks after winning gold in Atlanta, she rowed in their victorious women’s eight at the 1996 Australian University Games. This was just the beginning of her remarkable journey in the sport.
In 1992, Slatter made her selection debut for South Australia in the state women’s coxless four to contest the ULVA Trophy at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships. She continued to race in the South Australian women’s coxless fours in 1993, 1996, and 1998, achieving victory in 1996.
One of Slatter’s significant achievements came in 1999 when the blue riband women’s heavyweight event at the Australian Interstate Regatta became an event for eights. Slatter stroked the first two South Australian women’s eight that competed for the ULVA Trophy in 1999 and 2000. Her leadership and skill were vital to the success of the team.
Throughout her career, Slatter also competed in national titles at the Australian Rowing Championships, representing the Adelaide University Boat Club. She first tasted victory in 1990, winning the U23 women’s coxless four championship. In 1991, she formed a successful pairing with Megan Still and competed in the Australian women’s pair championship, as well as winning the open women’s coxless four and the open women’s eight.
In 2000, Slatter added another championship title to her name when she won the national coxless pairs championship with Rachael Taylor. Overall, she won an impressive sixteen Australian championship titles for either South Australia or the Adelaide University Boat Club. This outstanding track record showcases her dedication, determination, and talent in the sport.
Slatter’s excellence extended beyond national competitions as she represented Australia on the international stage. At the young age of twenty, she earned her first Australian representative selection for the senior women’s squad at the 1991 World Rowing Championships in Vienna. She was chosen to compete in the women’s coxless four, a position she shared with Jodie Dobson, Emmy Snook, and Megan Marcks.
The coxless four crew stayed together into the 1992 Olympic year, earning a spot at the Barcelona Olympics by defeating France in a qualification regatta. Despite facing adversity when Marcks suffered a stress fracture in her rib during the Olympic lead-up, the team performed admirably and made it to the Olympic final, finishing in sixth place overall.
In 1993, Slatter continued her international rowing career, teaming up with Courtney Johnstone and Gina Douglas in the coxless four. Together with Marcks, they represented Australia at the 1993 World Rowing Championships in Racice.
Slatter’s dedication and passion for rowing have left an indelible mark on the sport. Her achievements have not only made her a role model for aspiring rowers but have also influenced the perception of women in sports. She has paved the way for other women to compete at the highest level and has shown that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medalist in Women’s Rowing (1996)
– World Rowing Champion (year)
– 16-time National Champion