Male U17 quad scull L-R Spencer Holland, Erik Hogan, Lochie Hogan, Brodie Julian. Coxswain Harvey.
Corowa Rowers day one of competition began with the Female U17 single sculls heats, featuring Anastasia McFarlane, Adelaide Robb, and Sommers Hogan.
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First up was Anastasia competing over the 2,000m course in a single scull for the first time. Not overawed by rowing the full course Anastasia was well positioned after 500m. Using her reach and improving technique she made her move to take a slight lead with 500m to go.
As the pace picked up Anastasia and the Centenary sculler moved clear and with a final sprint for the finish Anastasia fell short by 0.5 of a second and into Tuesday’s repechage.
Adelaide was drawn against a class field with the aim of racing strongly over the full course. As the field spread out Adelaide followed her plan to row strongly with a great time joining Anastasia in the Reps.
Sommers Hogan still competing in the U15 events but prepared for the challenge of racing over the 2000m course was also in Adelaide’s heat. Sommers rowed a controlled race and after completing the course and finishing in 6th place gaining great confidence and will be determined to keep improving in her repechage.
The afternoon racing featured the Male and Female U17 double sculls. Adelaide was teaming with Rhea Werner from Yarra Yarra while Anastasia and Sommers joined forces.
The Male crews were Spencer Holland and Brodie Julian while the Hogan cousins Lachie and Erik teamed up.
The female crews were up first with Adelaide and Rhea in heat 2, with their first row together being up to the start the new combination started cautiously before finding their rhythm to finish strongly in 4th place with a great time.
The young combination of Anastasia and Sommers were competing for the first time over the 2000m course. The young crew rowed a mature race and took control by the 1000m mark and raced strongly in front of the crowd to hold on for the win and into Wednesday’s Semis.
The Male crews lined up with the Hogans first to represent the club, with Erik in his first season of rowing the crew were keen to compete. Getting out with the rest of the field the crew held onto third place before the pace picked up and the crew cruised into fourth place and into Tuesday’s Reps.
Spencer and Brodie featured against Gippsland and Wendouree crews with a great battle down the course. After sitting in all important second place for a 1000m the young Corowa crews dropped into 3rd place but will be better for racing over the full course.
Day 2
The Repechages for the single sculls we’re first up, with Adelaide and Anastasia lining up against each other needing a top 3 finish to move through to the Quarter finals.
Adelaide got out fast and took a handy lead by the 500m mark. With Anastasia in the next lane the Corowa scullers moved clear of the field by the halfway mark.
With a final push to the line the Corowa scullers held on for a top 2 finish as required.
Sommers Hogan has been improving with each row and in her Rep, Sommers was rowing a great race sitting in 4th place. Sitting well clear of the 5th place sculler Sommers finished strongly with another great row. Sommers has gained some great experience by rowing in her first National Championship regatta.
Female U17 rowers Anastasia McFarlane, Adelaide Robb and Sommers Hogan.
The double sculls we’re up after lunch with Adelaide teaming with Rhea. The new combination improved with their second row together, to finish with a great time in third place just missing a spot in the Semis.
The Corowa Male doubles were drawn against each other in their Repeals needing a top two finish to advance to the semis. Spencer and Brodie were in 5th place with the Hogans just behind in sixth.
Both doubles improved from their heat rows to hold onto their positions and finish strongly.
After the day’s competition the Quads hit the water for a training row. The all Corowa MU17 quad featuring the doubles and coxswain Harvey McFarlane had a great row over the course gaining more experience.
The Female quad featured Adelaide and Rhea teaming with 2 Scullers from Mosman Rowing Club. For their first row together the crew and coaches were excited for Wednesday’s heats to come.
Day 3
Windy conditions greeted the rowers on day 3 as Corowa scullers lined up in the quarter finals of the single sculls.
Anastasia was up first needing a top 2 finish to advance to the afternoons semi-finals. Improving with every row over the 2,000m course Anastasia rowed a great race moving through the field to finish strongly in third place.
Up next was Adelaide who is a natural lightweight was determined competing against bigger opposition in her quarter final. Adelaide followed her race plan by taking the early lead and was in contention at the 1000m mark. As the pace increased Adelaide worked hard and in a battle to the line finished in third place.
All single scullers did an amazing job with Adelaide 15th and Anastasia 16th in Australia out of 44 entries , the girls will be keen to work hard over the winter months for next season.
Sommers teamed with Anastasia in the semi-finals of the U17 double scull also needing a top 2 finish to advance to Thursday’s final. The crew were fantastic and matched their older opposition to finish strongly in third place and 8th in Australia. These two scullers have next season to compete in the U17 events and will have a goal for their future training.
The afternoon events featured our Female Under 17 composite Quad featuring Adelaide, Rhea, and the 2 Mosman scullers Pippa Young and Catherine Wilcock Cox Olisia Sirotic.
For their first race together the plan of 4 scullers makes a fast quad was looking good. In a tight battle down the course the crew matched the school quads to fall less than 3 seconds behind the winner off the heat in third place and into Thursday’s Repechage.
The all-Corowa quad scull featured Lachie, Brodie, Spencer, Erik, and Cox Harvey. The young crew lined up against 6 quads and in a battle in tough conditions the crew stayed in their lane passing a crew to finish in fifth place and into the Respite boys are ready to improve with their next row on Thursday.
Day 4
The windy conditions continued as crews struggled with the side head winds. The Female quad scull was up first needing a top 2 finish to advance to Friday’s semi-finals.
With the fastest crews seeded from lanes 2 the Corowa composite crew were drawn in lane 3.
As the wind picked up, the crew were well in contention by the 1000m mark. With the pace picking up in front of the crowd a great sprint was on show with less than 1 length separating 3 crews the Corowa composite held on to 2nd place by 100th of a second and into the semi.
The male crew were in for a real battle with 6 crews in the race. The early leaders pulled out and were well in front with 500m to go, the Corowa crew moved past two crews and finished strongly in fourth place. These boys have come a long way and gained invaluable race experience for the future.
Anastasia was called up to be a medical sub for an U19 composite crew from Ballarat and Torrens. Due to the conditions time trials were used with crews racing against the clock in single file. The crew raced well finishing with a time that seeded them in fourth place just missing out in the Semi-finals.
Day 5
The forecast remained the same, head cross winds favouring lanes 2,3 and 4. Unfortunately the quad was seeded in lane 5.The crew remained confident and were keen to continue their great regatta racing form.
In the tough conditions the 6 quads got out with the Corowa composite crew into their race rating. Moving into the protected water the inside lanes made their move to take a clear lead.
Over the last 500m the Corowa Composite crew increased their boat speed to finish strongly in fifth place.
The crew had a great row and met some rowers from Sydney that they can monitor each other’s Rowing progress. The pleasing aspect with the semi row was all the crews were faster than the other semi. The crew’s position for the quad was eighth overall in Australia.
The club is so proud of our rowers for their efforts throughout the season competing against the biggest clubs and schools within Victoria and Australia. As the season comes to an end and our rowers change to their winter sports the club will reset for the next season.
Anyone interested in joining the winter program or finding out more about the sport and club are welcome to call in or contact Wes 0439 116 668.
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