March 1 to 7
Nagambie Lakes, Victoria
Rowing Australia media releases
Sunday 7 March
New South Wales stuns crowd with King’s Cup victory
New South Wales has stunned the Victorian crowd by winning the 2010 King’s Cup title, securing their third consecutive win in the men’s interstate eight race at Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
In breezy conditions the New South Welshman fought a close race, crossing the line in a time of 5:27.95 to defeat Victoria with South Australia third.
The light blues led right from the start, taking a slender half second lead over the 500m which increased a further second by halfway.
With crew members’ backing up from previous races Western Australia, and Queensland were never in the hunt, providing small competition for the remaining crews.
Heading into the final 500 metres, the increased work rate of the Victorians could do little to prevent a New South Wales win as Coxen Toby Lister stood in celebration with two strokes still to go.
New South Welshman, James Chapman, said he was proud to be part of a crew with such comradeship.
“We had a few injury troubles coming in but the guys just pulled together,” Chapman said
“It's not easy to win three in a row and we weren't about to let this one slip.”
The New South Wales crew was: James Chapman, Samuel Loch, Nicholas Hudson, Dominic Grimm, Nick Purnell, Matthew Ryan, Fergus Pragnell, Daniel Noonan and Cox, Toby Lister.
Victoria were triumphant in the men’s youth eight earlier in the afternoon in a time of 5:42.10 completing their domination of the youth eight categories with Western Australia and New South Wales third.
Victoria was also awarded the Rowing Australia Cup for overall winners of the Interstate Regatta.
For more information on all races please visit www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Sunday 7 March
Sweet number six for Victorian Queen's Cup crew
Victoria has added yet another women’s eight title to their collection after taking out the penultimate race of the 2010 Interstate Regatta at Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
In the 12 years the race has been contested the Victorian’s have won the race an astonishing nine times, six of those in a row.
The Victorian crew came out of the blocks strongly and looked smooth as they took an early lead in the race. They maintained the advantage down the course to eventually cross the line in a time of 6:17.61 some six boat lengths ahead of the pack.
The race for second was tight with Queensland holding off a fast finishing Western Australia in third.
Victoria’s Emily Martin said despite the state’s stranglehold on the event the win still feels special.
“It doesn’t matter how many times we win this it still feels great,” Martin said
“We had a bit of a wobbly start but we finished off strongly for the big white vee.”
Queensland won the women’s youth eight in a time of 6:31.18 while Western Australia came second with Victoria coming home with the bronze.
Full Victorian Queen’s Cup squad was Joanna Gray, Robyn Selby Smith, Kim Crow, Sophie Robson, Pauline Frasca, Jessica Hill, Emily Martin, Phoebe Stanley and Cox, Lizzie Patrick.
Regatta information can be found at www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Sunday 7 March
Tasmania does lightweight double
Tasmania has won both the men’s and women’s lightweight crowns at today’s Interstate Regatta in Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
The women’s lightweight quad crew of Annabelle Gibson, Ella Flecker, Ingrid Fenger and Carly Cottam firstly secured the Victoria Cup for Tasmania for the second consecutive year.
The girls led strongly from the front leaving Queensland and Victoria to battle for the minor placings as they crossed the finish line in a time of 6:42.74 with Queensland taking second ahead of Victoria.
Ingrid Fenger said they were happy to take the win, consolidating Tasmania’s stature as the home of lightweight racing.
“The women’s lightweight category in Australia is very strong at the moment,” Fenger said
“To have Tasmanian women win it two years in a row is a fantastic result for the state and shows just how strong we really are.”
Tasmania then claimed the Penrith Cup for the men’s lightweight coxless four, breaking the Western Australian three year stranglehold on the event.
With the two states dominating the event over the last decade, Tasmania looked in control early, with the crew of Blair Tunevitsch, Anthony Edwards, Sam Beltz and Tom Gibson going straight to the front, recording a winning time of 6:02.46, 5 seconds ahead of Victoria in second with Western Australia third.
Olympian Tom Gibson said the team had worked hard in the lead up to the Interstate Regatta.
“The guys really wanted to get this win after missing out last year,” Gibson said
“We all felt really good today so we are happy with the result; it’s great to see the girls take home the win proving how strong the Tasmanian lightweights are.”
The Interstate Regatta features eight races that combine to decide the champion state and winner of the Rowing Australia Cup.
For full race results please visit www.rowingaustralia.com.au
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Sunday 7 March
Crawshay takes victory for Victoria
Victorian David Crawshay has won his third President’s Cup after producing a stunning come from behind victory in Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
The President’s Cup is awarded to the winner of the men’s Interstate single scull, and Crawshay, eager to make up for his defeat in the national championships earlier this week, did not let the home crowd down.
With the fast starting Jared Bidwell (QLD) and 2010 National Champion, Chris Morgan (SA) controlling the race from the front over the first 1000 metres, the onus was on Crawshay if he was to repeat his 2009 success.
Over the last 200m, Crawshay pulled up to Bidwell and Morgan forging ahead to record the victory in a time of 6:50.71. Chris Morgan second with Jared Bidwell third.
Crawshay said the win was special considering his loss on Friday.
“I was a bit stung by Friday’s result,” Crawshay said. “Morgan and Bidwell went out very fast so I had to stay with them for a while,”
“Morgan gave it a big push around the third 500 so I just had to go with him.”
Today’s President’s Cup will be the only Interstate event in which Crawshay competes.
“Most of the guys are doubling up so I could go into the finish knowing I didn’t have to back up another race.” Crawshay said
“Considering the talent and depth of the guys out there this a great win for me.”
The Interstate Regatta features eight races that combine to decide the champion state winner of the Rowing Australia Cup.
For full race results please visit www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Sunday 7 March
Savage storms to interstate glory
Pippa Savage has given Queensland the ideal start to the Interstate Regatta as the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships draw to a close at Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
The Interstate Regatta features eight races that combine to decide the champion state and winner of the Rowing Australia Cup.
With a strong field and no clear favourite, this year’s battle for the Nell Slatter Trophy was sure to be a close one.
In Lane 5, Victoria’s Kim Crow got off to a flying start with Tasmania’s Kerry Hore going out in second with Queensland’s Pippa Savage in third.
Just after the 1500m mark, Pippa Savage took the lead to record an impressive victory in a time of 7:27.47 over Kerry Hore with Kim Crow holding on for third.
The win gives Queensland its fourth consecutive Nell Slatter Trophy and Savage her third since 2007.
For full race results please visit www.rowingaustralia.com.au
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Saturday 6 March
All eyes turn to rowings interstate battle
Hot conditions greeted all at Lake Nagambie on the final day of competition at the 2010 National Rowing Championships in Victoria.
The atmosphere is building as we draw closer tomorrow’s interstate battle. Many of the Day 6 finals would give spectators an indication as to which state may take home the Rowing Australia Cup for 2010’s best all-round state.
In a preview to tomorrow’s Penrith Cup, the star studded Tasmanian crew of Sam Beltz, Blair Tunevitsch, Anthony Edwards and Tom Gibson looked confident in the final of the men’s lightweight coxless four taking the gold medal by 4 seconds over the Western Australian crew of Nick Baker (TAS), Perry Ward, Ross Brown and Todd Skipworth.
Hannah Every-Hall and Tara Kelly continued Queensland’s domination of the female sculling categories by taking out the open women’s lightweight double sculls. Withstanding a fast finish by Tasmanian pair Ingrid Fenger and Carly Cottam, the Queenslanders crossed the line in a time of 7:11.99.
Another Queenslander, Sally Kehoe, continued her brilliant regatta by taking her second and third titles, winning the women’s double and quadruple sculls events in quick succession.
The Toowoomba girl paired with Kerry Hore (TAS), Sarah Cook (ACT) and Kim Crow (VIC) to win their quad scull final by a comfortable 12.79 seconds.
The All Australian team crew of Tom Larkins (VIC), Samuel Loch (NSW), Nick Purnell (NSW) and Josh Dunkley-Smith (VIC) scored a comfortable win in the open men’s coxless four in a time of 6:01.36 beating fellow Australian team members Matthew Ryan (NSW), Fergus Pragnell (NSW), Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (VIC) and James Marburg (VIC).
Alexander Belonogoff (NSW), David Kelly (WA), Nick Hudson (NSW) and Dan Noonan (NSW) overcome a top quality field to win the highly competitive quad scull title. Chris Morgan (SA) continued his fantastic comeback by coming in second with Tom Swann (VIC), Noe Guzman (NSW) and James McRae (SA) whilst David Crawshay (VIC), Jared Bidwell (QLD) Karsten Forsterling (VIC) and Duncan Free (QLD) came home a disappointing third.
With action in the 2010 National Championships coming to an end, all eyes will be on the Interstate Regatta due to begin 12.00 culminating in the King’s Cup starting at 1.45pm.
For the first time the 2010 Interstate Regatta will be shown live on the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN). For more information on our free coverage, please go to www.WCSN.com.au
For all the latest news and live results, please go to www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Saturday 6 March
King’s Cup set to provide explosive ending to Interstate Regatta
The Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, will be on hand to witness what is shaping up to be a tremendous Kings Cup showdown to mark the end of the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships and Interstate Regatta at Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
Back to back champions, New South Wales (Lane 2) has been drawn next to arch rival and home state Victoria (Lane 3) which will only make the battle for the 91 year old prize more intriguing.
Since 1990 Victoria has won 15 Kings Cup titles are keen to break the streak of their northern neighbours in front of a boisterous home crowd.
Victorian Institute Senior Coach, Bill Tait says the home team are looking strong and eager to bring the Cup back to the garden state.
“Any time we represent Victoria is a big deal but to have the chance to break the New South Wales streak in front of our home crowd will certainly add a bit of spice.” Tait said. “The crew have trained well over the last few weeks and they’re all very keen to bring home the result tomorrow.”
The Interstate Regatta, which serves as the conclusion of the Australian Rowing Championships, features eight races across a number of boat classes and is considered the “State of Origin” of Australian rowing.
The Men’s single scull is set to be a classic duel. Fresh from his upset victory in the National Championships on Friday, Chris Morgan will be looking to win South Australia’s first Presidents Cup since 1988. Victoria’s David Crawshay will be looking to avenge his loss in the national title race; they will both have to overcome Jared Bidwell (QLD) and David Kelly (WA) who will be in contention for a placing.
The Penrith Cup, awarded to the winner of the men’s lightweight coxless four is once again expected to be a battle between Tasmania and Western Australia. The two states have shared the trophy since 1999; with three Olympians in the crew Tasmania will enter this year’s race as favourites.
Following her disappointing bronze in national championship race, Queensland’s Pippa Savage will be looking to win her state’s fourth consecutive Nell Slatter Trophy in the women’s single scull. A red hot field will see this race go down to the wire.
The women’s lightweight quad will be no less interesting, much like their counterparts in the men’s event, the Tasmanian’s will enter the race as hot favourites but will be expecting a tough race from the Queensland crew led by comeback queens Hannah Every-Hall and Tara Kelly.
The men’s and women’s youth eights feature as the 5th and 6th events on the Interstate program. Queensland’s women will be looking to claim their third consecutive Bicentenary Cup, while Victoria will look to do the same in the men’s Noel F. Wilkinson Trophy.
Victoria will enter the Queen’s Cup for the open women’s eight as overwhelming favourites. After winning the title two years in a row they will be hard to beat on home turf.
The Interstate Regatta will be shown live and free on the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) at www.wcsn.com.au
Photos available upon request
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Friday 5 March
Australia’s elite dominate events at national titles
As finals day of the 2010 National Rowing Championships continues at Lake Nagambie in Victoria, Australia’s elite rowers have risen to the challenging conditions as competition for National selection heats up.
Olympians Sam Beltz and Anthony Edwards have continued Tasmania’s good run of results in the men’s lightweight coxless pair category in emphatic style.
The Lindisfarne/New Norfolk crew were never headed in their final, leading home fellow Tasmanians Alister Foot and Tom Gibson by 4.36 seconds, recording a winning time of 6:36.08. The Western Australian pair of Ross Brown and Perry Ward crossing the line third.
An all-Australian team showdown beckoned for the final of the open men’s coxless pairs with the Australian men’s eight pair of Victorian duo Tom Larkins and Josh Dunkley Smith looking to convert their favouritism into the Ted Bromley Memorial Trophy.
The pair of Olympian Sam Loch (NSW) and 2009 U23 World Championship competitor Nick Purnell (NSW) were quick to the lead from the front with the Victorian duo of Cameron McKenzie-McHarg and James Marburg close behind.
Olympic and World Championship Silver quad members Marburg and McKenzie-McHarg took the coveted trophy in a time of 6:26.72 over Larkins/Dunkley-Smith and Loch/Purnell.
According to McKenzie-McHarg “It was good fun, probably one of the highest standards in a Pair event at a national level that I’ve been involved in. Three crews out in front the whole way down and no one was letting up.”
Meanwhile, Todd Skipworth added another Australian title to his collection with a solid victory in the final of the men’s lightweight single scull.
The West Australian, who represented Australia in Beijing in the men’s lightweight four, led from start to finish winning in a time of 7:16.94 ahead of Lindisfarne rower Shaun Finlayson and Scott Penning from the Barwon Club.
Finals continue tomorrow with the feature races including the men’s and women’s quad scull before the 2010 Interstate Regatta kicks off on Sunday. This year you can watch the entire day’s action on the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) free. Go to www.wcsn.com.au for more information.
Stay up to date with all the news and results as they happen at www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos are available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Thursday 4 March
Club format hits water as Lake Nagambie gets ready for big-names in Friday finals
Surrounded by beautiful conditions, Day 4 of the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships witnessed a new era for the National Regatta ahead of a blockbuster Day 5 on Friday.
2010 saw the reintroduction of two club only events at the Regatta. It is hoped the men’s and women’s double and quad club events, will reinvigorate the sport at club level and provide a more equal playing field from which club rowers can develop into stronger athletes.
After a short Day 4, all thoughts moved to a busy day of finals scheduled for Friday. With Olympians, World Champions and Australian Representatives present in all categories, the racing will be sensational as the competition for 2010 National Team selection heats up.
The final of the women’s single scull will see two-time National Champion and Beijing Olympian Pippa Savage (QLD) race against 2009 National Champion and fellow Queenslander Sally Kehoe. Both rowers looked comfortable in their semi-final, easing off over the finish line reserving energy ahead of a busy weekend schedule.
The Queensland pair will have to overcome stiff competition from Australian Team members Brooke Pratley (NSW), Kerry Hore (TAS), Kim Crow (VIC) and Sarah Cook (ACT) if they are to continue their three year domination of the event.
In what promises to be a highlight of the regatta, a red hot field will line up for the men’s open singles scull. 2008 Beijing Gold medallist David Crawshay (VIC) will go into the final as favourite after securing the title twice in the last three years. 2008 National Champion Dan Noonan (NSW) will be keen to take back the title, with Olympians Karsten Forsterling (VIC), Chris Morgan (SA), World Championship Silver Medallist Jared Bidwell (QLD) and Australian Representative David Kelly (WA) all eager to take the title for the first time.
2008 women’s lightweight quad scull World Champion crew members, Ingrid Fenger (TAS), Bronwen Watson (NSW) and Alice McNamara (VIC) will once again battle for the women’s lightweight single scull crown. The trio will have to be at their best if they are to overcome NSW and QLD State Champion Hannah Every-Hall (QLD) and Under 23 World Championship representative Maja Fiddler (SA).
The open men’s coxless pairs will provide yet another all Australian shootout with four of the teams boasting Olympic or World Championship competitors. The New South Wales crew of Matt Ryan and Fergus Pragnell were impressive in winning their heat; they will come up against the Victorian crews of James Marburg / Cameron McKenzie-McHarg and Tom Larkins / Joshua Dunkley-Smith.
Stay up to date with all the racing live at www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos are available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Wednesday 3 March
Queenslanders lead way into finals
For the second year running the Queensland pair of Pippa Savage and Sally Kehoe stormed into the finals of the open women’s single scull as Day 3 of the Australian Rowing Championships began at Lake Nagambie, Victoria.
In perfect rowing conditions, the duo looked comfortable in semi final number 1. Winner of the National Titles in 2007 and 2008, Savage took the win in a time of 7:48.81 ahead of 2009 Champion Kehoe with both rowers easing their way to the line in the last 100 metres.
The Queenslander’s will be joined in Friday mornings A- Final by fellow Australian Team members Brooke Pratley (NSW), Kerry Hore (TAS), Kim Crow (VIC) and Sarah Cook (ACT) in what is sure to be an unforgettable event.
Chris Morgan (SA) and David Crawshay (VIC) won their respective semi-finals of the men’s open single scull event.
Returning from a break after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Morgan rowed strongly as he set a time of 7:12.19, leading home fellow Olympian Karsten Forsterling (VIC) and World Championship Silver medallist Jared Bidwell (QLD).
As expected, multiple Australian Champion and Olympic Gold medallist David Crawshay confirmed his favouritism for the event recording a 7:13.84 time to take the win over Dan Noonan (NSW) and David Kelly (WA).
Friday morning’s final is sure to provide a preview of what can be expected of the Presidents Cup race which will take place on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the final of the women’s lightweight singles will be another all Australian Representative affair after Hannah Every-Hall (QLD) qualified fastest recording a 8:01.16 in the first semi-final.
Every-Hall, who is the Current NSW and QLD lightweight champion, looked strong as she finished ahead of previous National Champions Alice McNamara (VIC) and Bronwen Watson (NSW).
2006 National Champion Tara Kelly (QLD) won the second semi-final, with Tasmania’s Ingrid Fenger and Maja Fiddler (SA) to join her in Friday morning’s final.
Follow all the racing live on www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos are available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Tuesday 2 March
Australian Team Dominates National Championships
With the wind dropping off over night, Day 2 of the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships and Interstate Regatta saw a welcome return to racing.
Today’s heats centred on the Open Men’s and Women’s Double Scull’s with many of Australia’s elite rowers looking to progress through the week.
Australian representatives Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Kim Crow (VIC), battled with Kerry Hore (TAS) and Sarah Cook (NSW) from start to finish, qualifying fastest for the final in a time of 7:34.27. The combination of Amber Bradley (WA) and Amy Ives (NSW) took out the second heat.
The Men’s Double Scull’s saw the Victorian pair of Olympic gold winner, David Crawshay and Beijing Olympian Karsten Forsterling set the fastest time in the heats of 6.59:04. World Championship Silver medallists, Dan Noonan (NSW) and Nick Hudson (NSW) also progressed to the finals after winning heat number two.
The repechages of the open men’s single sculls were hotly contested with, Jared Bidwell (QLD) and Nick Hudson (NSW) both qualifying for tomorrow’s semi finals.
Australian representatives Natalie Bale (WA), Laura Osti (SA) and Kim Brown (QLD) all progressed through to tomorrow’s semi-finals of the Women’s Single Scull. This event is sure to be a highlight with a strong field led by Pippa Savage (QLD) all looking to make the final on Friday.
Tom Larkins and Josh Dunkley–Smith led fellow 2009 World Championship competitors James Marburg and Cameron McKenzie-McHarg in qualifying for the Men’s Coxless Pairs final on Friday.
The remainder of the day saw competition in the underage classes.
Stay up to date with live racing, results and reports at www.rowingaustralia.com.au
Photos are available upon request.
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
Monday 1 March
Stars shine despite difficult conditions at National Championships
Day one of the 2010 Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Nagambie, Victoria, began amidst windy conditions forcing a format change to time trials for the days events.
Regardless of the change in format, the majority of Australia’s National Team progressed safely into their respective semi-finals.
The women’s open single has seen the 2009 World Championship Double Scull crew of Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Pippa Savage (QLD) dominate the field, moving directly into the semi-finals. Tasmanian Kerry Hore came in third, just 2 seconds behind.
The men’s single scull featured a hotly contested field, the winner of each heat progressing directly to the semi-final.
David Crawshay (VIC), Dan Noonan (NSW), James McRae (SA) and Chris Morgan (SA) were victorious in their respective heats.
The New South Wales combination of Samuel Lock and Nick Purnell set the fastest time in the men’s pair event, moving ahead to the semi-finals along with fellow statesmen Matthew Ryan and Fergus Pragnell.
Hannah Every-Hall (QLD) set the fastest time in the heats of the women’s single lightweight scull. Every-Hall, coming back after an extended break from the sport, will face stiff opposition against former world champions Alice McNamara (VIC) and Ingrid Fenger (TAS) when the event continues later in the week.
Under age racing will occupy all of the afternoon racing, before heats of the men’s and women’s double scull begin on Tuesday.
For information on all races please go to www.rowingaustralia.com.au
For more information please call
Mark Hindle on 0406 496 209
mark@contentgroup.com.au
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