KATHRYN Ross is probably the only person in Warrnambool who is soaking up the wintry weather.
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Coming from Canberra, the Beijing Paralympic silver medallist is grateful for temperatures above zero and is making the most of her short "holiday" in the south-west by training daily with Craig Parsons.
Ross said it would be her last visit home before she contests the World Rowing Championships with double-scull partner Grant Bailey in October.
"It's probably the last time I'll be home before Christmas as well," she said.
"I'm having a little break to regain focus and hopefully have a new frame of mind heading into worlds.
"I'm winding it back a bit but I still have to train everyday, Craig keeps me ticking."
After collecting a silver medal at the World Rowing Cup in Ukraine last month, Ross and Bailey have been busily preparing for the world championships in New Zealand.
The pair also have trials next month for national team selection.
However, chilly Canberra weather has prevented the duo from taking seconds off their personal best time of four minutes and 18 seconds, over one kilometre.
"We've been training every morning in minus degree temperatures but it's pretty hard to produce good times in that weather. It gets pretty frosty," she said.
"Grant and I have been doing a lot of combination work, changing positions in the boat.
"Hopefully it puts us in the best position for the trials.
In light of the gloomy conditions, Ross said has moved some of her program indoors.
She was glad to have the opportunity to continue her vigorous routine at Parsons' gym this week.
"Boxing has been incorporated into my training at the AIS," she said.
"So it's good that I'm not straying away from my normal training when I'm home.
"My muscles are a bit sore afterwards but it shows I've worked hard."
Ross and Bailey are the top trunk-and-arms double scull in the country but still have to attend next month's Australian trials as a formality.
"There's always people working in the background which keeps you pushing harder," Ross said.
"But unless something drastic happens I'm pretty sure we'll be going (to the world championships).
"I'm being confident."
mrooth@standard.fairfax.com.au
