As a decorated member of the Australian Rowing Team, Georgia Nesbitt didn’t know the meaning of giving up or slowing down. Now she is tackling the greatest challenge of her life with the same vigour as she takes her first steps to recovery after a serious cycling crash that left her in an induced coma.

The rowing and cycling world was in shock in March when Nesbitt, 31, fell from her bike during a criterium race at Tolosa Park in Hobart. After some pivotal treatment at the scene by an off-duty emergency nurse, Nesbitt was rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital.

She required surgery for a broken jaw, but it was a serious brain injury that had doctors most concerned. It was the kind of call no parent wants to receive and her mother Jenny recalls the moment they found out what had transpired.

“We just had a feeling that it wasn't great. The doctors don’t want to install too much positivity in you because it's a very unknown situation with head injuries like Georgia’s, in terms of what the outcome may be. It's just a matter of waiting to see how each individual patient responds,” Jenny told Rowing Australia.

“But honestly, every single step of the way, everything has been fantastic. The care, the communication, everything's been first class. Nobody wants to be in that situation. But we're just so grateful that it's all gone as well as it could.”

After 17 days in intensive care, Nesbitt would wake up with no memory of the accident but an unflappable desire to get back on her feet. Like she was on the water, where she was a World Championships Silver Medallist and 10-time national representative, Nesbitt wanted to be going places in a hurry, even if she knows the long journey ahead requires patience and persistence.

Already she has proven to be an inspiration to everyone around her as she pours herself into her rehabilitation. She told Rowing Australia that the process will be measured but doctors are hopeful she is on her way to making an excellent recovery.

Her elite fitness and motivated mindset are her biggest assets as she works with physiotherapists to walk unassisted. She hopes to be back home in coming weeks and then focus on resuming her career as a lawyer.

“If it’s a slow process, that’s ok. I’m going to continue giving 100% to all my physio and therapy sessions,” said Georgia, who was left with some lingering left side paralysis after her brain injury.

Her progress had been remarkable and her work ethic and background as a world-class athlete is plain to see in the rehab room.

“Georgia has impressed the medical team with the progress that she's made,” Jenny said. “She's just in the best possible shape to respond because she's just so fit.”

Both Georgia and her family were in awe of the support received throughout such a difficult time, with well-wishes pouring in from both Australia and around the world. Nesbitt was a hugely respected figure in global rowing and both her friends on the Australian Rowing Team and former rivals on the water from overseas threw their support behind the family.

“I think it's a great compliment to Georgia that so many people have been following her recovery so closely and with so much interest. We have had so many phone calls, messages, cards, flowers and visits. Rowing Australia have been supportive from the outset,” Jenny said.

Sarah Pound, who Nesbitt rowed with in the Lightweight Women’s Double Scull for Australia, flew down to sit with her when she was in intensive care, while other members of the Australian Rowing Team, including Georgie Rowe, Molly Goodman and Georgia Miansarow, have visited Hobart to aid her on the road back to full health.

“I've been really touched by the support that I've received. Obviously, I didn't want to be in this position. But is such a reminder of all the people that are interested and care about you, and are willing to support you,” Georgia said.

The ‘Thank You’ list is long. But both Georgia and Jenny want to thank the doctors at Royal Hobart Hospital and all the medical and therapy staff, along with everyone who has reached out across the rowing community and beyond.

As for ‘getting back on the bike’, Nesbitt is content to take her time, although she says she would like to return to a more sedate form of cycling in the future. Jenny said an ‘indoor trainer’ would be her preference for the moment.

About Georgia Nesbitt Georgia represented the Australian Rowing Team on 10 occasions, including winning a Silver Medal at the 2017 World Championships.

She was a member of the Hancock Prospecting Women’s National Training Centre in Penrith until December 2022, when she returned to her home state, joining the board of Rowing Tasmania. 

Outside of sport, Georgia works as lawyer in Hobart.

Georgia was seven-time Australian champion in the Lightweight Women’s Single Scull (twice in U23 and five times in Open class).

She competed in cycling’s Road National Championships in February and was training for the Oceania Road Cycling Championships in Brisbane when the accident occurred.

In February this year, she competed in her first half Ironman event and finished third in her age group, qualifying for the World Championships in Helsinki.

For more information contact Phil Lutton, Rowing Australia Media, and Communications Manager, at plutton@rowingaustralia.com.au and 04 18 659 918.