Article
Mate versus mate - State versus State
by Michael Wilson
I must admit I borrowed the above headline from another sport. But no
other sport can boast the number of states competing against one another
at the one time or the history associated with our interstate events.
Last night all the states, had their pre-interstate dinners in the hope that team building will instill that extra bit of passion that will get, maybe that little extra boat speed.
There is much talk on the bank, that Western Australia will take out the premier men’s event, The Kings Cup (left). George Xouris who nearly 30 years ago won the Kings Cup and helped developed much of the new WA talent said: "We are a very good chance, excellent chance, the way they won the fours and the small boats they are looking good for it." We asked George what he would say to the WA crew if given the chance: "get out there and do your best, win races which you know to do."
George believes the crew to watch is Victoria, who has drawn the lane next to them. "The worry I have there is Tomkins rowed his last race on Wednesday and has been resting for it, it is a bit of a worry there, but we may have the edge" George said.
Jim Tomkins is the stroke seat and Drew Ginn (right) in the seven of
the Victorian eight. Tomkins is going for his 14th victory in the
Kings Cup. "I am not counting" said Tomkins, but is keeping a close
eye on the Western Australians. "I think the Western Australian can team
legitimately go in as the crew to beat" said Tomkins. After taking
last year off Tomkins claims he had to fight to get his seat back
"very tough, very, very tough battle for the seats this year."
Drew Ginn said: "We Victorians are very proud of where we come from when the seat goes on we are committed a 100% to it."
Rob Jahrling who will be rowing in the NSW crew said: "we are hungry to win, it has been 16 years since we have won." During those 16 years NSW have been close on many occasions, but this year, when least expected win.
The Womens Eight, for the Governor General Plate, will display the superior rowers who showed the World how good we are by winning the eight and four and lightweight quad scull at the World Championships. Maybe this could be NSW race, as they have four members of the World Champion eight rowing.
Amber Bradley will be going for her fifth Gold Medal in the
Interstate Single Scull and Duncan Free (left) will be rowing for his
fifth Presidents Cup in the Single Scull.
The school events will be held in the morning session, with tight exciting racing. PLC Pymble would possibly be the favorite in the Schoolgirls and it will be a battle between The Kings School and St Ignatius in the Schoolboys.
Current conditions are fine with a light tail of about 10km/h.
Interviews about the big race are available:
- James Tomkins - going for his 14th Kings Cup: Windows Media File (62k) | Wave File (562k)
- George Xouris - looks at WA's chances: Windows Media File (59k) | Wave File (535k)
