Maddison Pasqualotto, Clancy Tomlinson, Sommers Hogan, Sienna McFarlane, Eva Broad, Bella Heagney, Imogen Tomlinson, Adelaide Robb and Anastasia McFarlane.
Corowa Rowing Club’s school girl rowers competed at the Head of School Girls Regatta, the biggest school girl regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, held in Geelong on the Barwon River.
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Corowa had 9 girls competing, open double scull Bella Heagney and Eva Broad- Xavier High School, open single sculls Adelaide Robb- Victory Lutheran College, Clancy Tomlinson- Corowa High School, Maddison Pasqualotto- Marian College Myrtleford, year 10 double scull Anastasia McFarlane and Sommers Hogan- Scots School, year 10 single scull Imogen Tomlinson- St Francis De Sales Leeton, and year 9 single scull Sienna McFarlane- Scots School.
Day 1
Crews were treated with ideal conditions with slight tail wings and 27 degrees.
The first crew to race was the open double scull over the 1500m course featuring Bella and Eva. The crew got out well taking a slight lead before the challenge came from the Kardinia College. As the pace picked the Kardinia College moved clear with Bella and Eva in 2nd place and moving into Saturday morning’s Repechage.
The open single sculls were up next with Maddison leading the way in the first heat. This was Maddison’s first race over the Barwon course. Maddison improved as the race progressed with a tight battle for 3rd and 4th place. Racing strongly over the course Maddison finished in 4th place.
Next up was Clancy who has had a strong showing at this regatta over the years. Clancy took control from the start, to take the lead although struggling with her steering she held off the opposition to take the win and move straight to the quarterfinals.
Adelaide Robb was the last of the open scullers. In a tight battle over the course she finished in a close 2nd place to progress to Saturday morning’s Repechage.
The Year 10 crews were up next racing over the 1000m course. Imogen was first up in the year 10 single. Imogen was full of confidence leading into the regatta winning medals at the Junior and Club State Championships. She took the early lead and continued all the way for a great win.
The Year 10 double of Anastasia and Sommers were in a strong heat needing to win to progress directly through to Sunday’s final. As expected, the crew took the lead and in a dominant display, recorded a strong win.
The afternoon’s racing featured year 8 student Sienna in the year 9 single scull. Sienna has improved with each regatta and was keen to row well over the course. She took the early lead and extended it with every stroke to record a confidence building win.
Year 10 double scull Champions Sommers Hogan and Anastasia McFarlane.
Day 2
Strong trail wind conditions greeted the crews for Saturday’s racing.
Bella and Eva lined up in the Repechage for the double scull needing a win to progress to the A and B semi-finals. Showing their class, the Xavier High combination took control from the start to lead all the way for the win.
The open single scull Repechages were up next with Maddison in a tight battle for 3rd and 4th place. Improving with every row over the course Maddison finished 4 seconds behind to finish 4th.
Adelaide was in the 8th Repechage needing to win to progress to the quarter final. Adelaide was in control taking the lead and recording a great win.
The afternoon’s races featured Bella and Eva in the semi-finals needing a top two finish to progress to the A final. The favourites from Albert Park College took the lead as the Xavier High crew was in a battle with Shelford Grammar for the all-important 2nd place.
With 500m to go and trailing by a length the Xavier crew made their move. Catching with every stroke and applying pressure to the opposition they moved alongside the Shelford crew before lifting and moving clear to finish in 2nd. A fantastic performance by Bella and Eva in testing conditions to make another A final.
Adelaide and Clancy were next in the quarter finals on the single scull both needing a top two placing to progress to the semi-finals 1 and 2.
Adelaide followed her race plan keeping pace with the local Geelong sculler as they moved clear of the field. In a well-timed race Adelaide finished in 2nd place.
Clancy lined up against the race favourite moving clear into 3rd place and rowing well in the conditions. She progressed into the C final.
Imogen was in the semi-final needing a top two finish to progress to the A final. The favourite moved clear as Imogen was in a strong position sitting in 2nd place at the 500m mark. As the pace picked Imogen was in a battle with the Gippsland Grammar sculler who was making her move. Imogen was pushing as the boats were edging closer to the finish line. Imogen gave a last burst to edge over the line in 2nde by .12 seconds. A fantastic achievement by Imogen who continues to improve each year.
As the wind picked up the Regatta referee postponed the year 9 singles until Sunday morning .
Day 3
Conditions improved over night as Sienna prepared for semi-final.
Needing a top two placing to proceed to the A final, Sienna was up for the challenge. She flew off the start to take the early lead. Still holding the lead by the 500m mark Sienna was making her older competitors work as the race. Giving her all, Sienna was surging for the line with less than a second separating the three crews. She fell just .05 seconds short in third place.
Lining up in the 4 sculler B final, Sienna continued her great form to finish 2nd in the B final and 6th overall in the year 9 single. A remarkable achievement. Sienna set herself a goal of making the A final in 2024.
The semi-finals of the open single sculls were up next with Adelaide leading the way with a top two placing to progress to the A final. Adelaide showed great control to row a consistent race to finish in 3rd and move into the B final.
Adelaide was up for the challenge as she lined up against 3 scullers in the final. She continued her great form to move clear with the local Barwon sculler as they pushed each other down the course. Adelaide finished in 2nd place and 6th overall out of 34 entries.
Maddison lined up in the semi-final 5 for a place in the G final. She showed great patience and was in a battle against the local sculler before she made her move at the 750m mark. Maddison lifted her intensity moving clear to record her first win in a race at the HOSG regatta.
In the G final Maddison continued her impressive form at the regatta to settle well to finish in 3rd place and set her a goal for 2024.
Clancy qualified for the C final and with the pressure off she was focused on her steering and finishing strongly. She lined up against 3 scullers and was first out to hold a lead at the 500m mark. As the pace increased, Clancy was well placed with 500m to go- she battled hard to the line to finish 2nd and record 10th overall. This will be Clancy’s last HOSG regatta and she again represented her school well against the rest of the field.
The first of the afternoons A finals featured Imogen who lined up against 3 scullers in the final. She was well placed by the 500m mark. The pace picked up as Imogen settled well to finish in 4th place- a fantastic achievement.
The year 10 double scull of Anastasia and Sommers was up next. After an impressive performance over the last few weeks against the open crews, they were prepared for a real battle over the shorter 1000m course.
The Scots School favourites got out fast to take the early lead. After the crews settled, Anastasia and Sommers made their move putting pressure on the opposition. Taking the lead and lifting their leg drive the crew pushed clear to record an 8 second win. Next year the crew will step up to the Open event over the 1,500m course.
The final race was Bella and Eva in the open double scull. Against a quality field another strong row would be required to win a medal. Nothing separated the 4 crews after the start, but as the pace intensified the favourites made the mistake catching a crab allowing Bella and Eva to make their move. With the crew now sitting in the bronze medal position Bella and Eva were able to hang on to match last year’s efforts by winning the bronze again.
The club would like to thank the rowers and their families for making another successful HOSG Regatta. The nine girls representing six schools won 1 gold, 1 bronze, an A final and two B finals- a fantastic achievement.
Thanks to coach Emily Tidd who passed on her knowledge to the young rowers. As Clancy and Bella finish their school girl careers the club looks forward to the future with a new team of rowers.
With the season winding up, the club is starting come and try mornings on Sunday at 9am. Now is a great time to come down and find out what’s on offer at the Corowa Rowing Club.
Presentation day is on Sunday, April 2- bookings required.
