Corowa Rowing Club competed in their first regatta for the 2019-20 season at the popular Bendigo Sprint Regatta.
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With a few rowers unavailable, the opportunity for younger rowers to compete with the more experienced was the plan.
In the morning session all crews either won or were second in their heat, resulting in eight crews competing in the finals.
Jayden Collier started the day’s racing in the Open Single, winning his heat and in a tight battle down the course and finishing the final in second place.
The Under 15 Double featured the new combination of Eva Broad and Bella Heagney. Racing the Essendon combination, the girls finished second with both crews progressing into the final.
The final featured four crews with Essendon and Corowa crews moving clear. In a close finish the Essendon crew held on for the win.
With no Master Single Scull events, Julie Underwood lined up in the C Grade. Winning her heat she took on much younger competitors in the final and in a great final burst Julie fell short by one metre.
The female D Grade Quad featuring; Emily Tidd, Bella, Eva, Liz Sandow and Adelyn Holland, won their heat and worked hard in the final but fell short to finish second.
Yarrawonga Danish Rotary exchange student Johannes Jacobsen competed in his first Australian regatta in the D Grade Single. Winning his heat and in a full field of four in the final, he made up ground, but in the sprint to the line fell just short of first place.
Spencer Holland was the club’s solo rower in the Under 15 events, lining up in the Single Scull.
Spencer started well to take the lead, winning his heat and moving into the final. The final featured three of last season’s State Championship competitors. In a tight battle all the way, the lead changed as the Hawthorn sculler got his boat in front on the line.
Julie and Liz teamed up in the C Grade Double and with a large entry list only first place moved into the final. The crew had a great row, moving into second place but not able to grab the place in the final.
The Mixed Double combinations featured Jayden, Emily, Julie and Alex. Both doubles won their heats and moved into the final against each other. The younger team took the lead from the start and were never headed as Julie and Alex finished in third place.
The afternoon session featured Emily in the D Grade Single. After winning her heat in style Emily was ready for the final. The four scullers lined up and in a tight battle all the way down the course Emily showed her hard work at training was paying off as she powered away to record a great win.
The male D Grade Double featured Alex and Spencer. The pair were confident after winning their heat and earning a place in the final. The crew struggled early in the final as the wind picked up but to their credit finished strongly in third place.
The club’s three Under 15 rowers – Bella, Eva and Adelyn – were entered in the Single Scull. For Eva and Adelyn, the youngest in the field, they are focusing on the under 15 in the new year while Bella finishes her Under 15 racing at the end of the year. Eva and Adelyn had confidence building rows with Eva finishing third and Adelyn second in their heats. Bella was determined to do well, winning her heat and qualifying for the final. Up against a strong field and the Essendon sculler, who she had never beaten, a close race was on the cards. Bella started well as the field was close at the halfway mark. Bella and the Essendon sculler made their move as they sprinted to the line but Bella was able to hold her form for a confidence building victory.
The Under 15 event was a perpetual trophy with Corowa featured prominently over the years – Chloe and Sara Williams, Megan Vogel, Paige Cooper and now Bella have all been winners of the event.
Jayden and Johannes raced the final of the C Grade Double and again found themselves in a tight battle, finishing in second place.
The Mixed Quad crew was Julie, Liz, Alex, Spencer Cox Eva. After winning the heat the crew finished a close second in the final.
Emily and Bella lined in their last event, the D Grade Double, and with both winning their single events a top row was anticipated. Winning their heat the final was a close battle as the Corowa crew made a push in the middle and moved into the lead to record a great win.
The last race for the Regatta was the Male D Grade Quad featuring Jayden, Johannes, Alex, Spencer and Adelyn with two heats. Up against a top crew in the heat the Corowa crew finished in second place to qualify for the final. In the final the crew closed the gap on the heat winner to finish clear in second.
Another great start to the season as the club plans for the season ahead. With upcoming club and school regattas the rowers will be hard at training.
The club is off to the Nagambie for the Head of the Goulburn 7.2km time trial. Alex and Julie will compete in the Single Scull along with the female Quad Scull of Emily, Bella, Claire, Liz and Eva also taking on the course.
New members welcome. Call in to find out more about this great family sport.
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