The former Ballarat Grammar School student formed part of the Australian women’s fours crew which claimed victory at the World Cup 2 event in Linz, Austria.

Stephan partnered with Rosie Popa, Sarah Hawe and Molly Goodman to win the event.

Coming out of the start, the crew sat back in second, with Great Britain in the lead. At the halfway mark, the Australians made a push but there was little to call it between the girls in green and gold and the British.

As the crews crossed into the final 500 metres, Goodman upped the Australian stroke rate to 38 and put the crew comfortably into the lead. The South Australian then upped the rate again, this time to 40, to ensure the Australians secured their first gold medal of the international season.

Stephan was critical of her crew’s performance despite the win.

“Our race was alright, but it wasn’t the best,” Stephan said.

“We always say we want our worst to be better than everyone’s best, so we managed to do that today.

“Next we will be taking an eight to Henley Royal Regatta before heading off to Lucerne for the final World Rowing Cup.”

Stephan’s crew claimed one of two gold medals for Australia at the regatta, with the men’s fours also successful. The women’s quadruple scull and women’s eight picked up bronze.

Last season, Stephan partnered with former Ballarat girl Katrina Werry for a number of gold medals in the fours event.

Werry has been shifted to the women’s eight this year, but was absent for the meeting in Austria due to injury.

A former Ballarat Clarendon College student and rower, Werry enjoyed a sensational 2017 campaign that saw her win two of this city’s biggest sporting accolades.

Werry, who began her schooling in Ballarat at St Thomas More in Alfredton, won both the sportsperson and sportswoman of the year awards.