2018 U21 Trans-Tasman series concludes with Australia defeating New Zealand
Australia’s U21 team maintained their lead ahead of New Zealand at the second trans-Tasman series at Lake Karapiro and take home the Rusty Robertson Trophy for 2018. After an intense battle, the series concluded with 272 points for New Zealand, and an impressive 290 points for Australia.
The Trans-Tasman Regatta between the U21 Australian and New Zealand rowing teams sees Australia host the first half of the series, with New Zealand hosting the second half. The winner of the Trans-Tasman Regatta will win the Rusty Robertson Trophy.
Robertson was coach of the Kiwi Eight who won gold at the Munich Olympics in 1972, and the trophy named after him is put up each year in a Trans-Tasman clash. The U21 series is seen as an important part of the Rowing NZ High Performance pathway, which includes Junior, University, U23 and Elite representative levels.
New Zealand and Australian crews also welcomed Canada to the second leg of the regatta, with New Zealand even contributing an athlete in Canada’s women’s eight after illness struck out one of their crew. Rowing Canada sent a strong female squad, and while Canadian crews weren't eligible for points, their addition added additional racing experience to New Zealand and Australian crews, and offered a further international regatta to Canada's U21 season. In the women's eight, Canada was dominant, closely followed by New Zealand, then Australia.
After losing to Australia in their heats, New Zealand's Men's Quad had the race of the regatta in their final.
New Zealand U21 Team
Men’s Coxless Pair
No.1 - Joseph Graham, Cameron Donald
No.2 - Blake Bradshaw, Angus Shotter
Women’s Coxless Pair
No.1 - Jessica Turfrey, Grace Holland
No.2 - Danika Caton, Claudia Mecchia
Women’s Lightweight Double Scull
Shannon Cox, Justine Hobbs
Men’s Lightweight Double Scull
Jordon Gasson, James Brott
Women’s Heavyweight Single Scull
No.1 - Anna MacQuarrie
No.2 - Lily Butler
Men’s Heavyweight Single Scull
No.1 - TK McLaren-Taplin
No.2 - Nathan Luff
Travelling Reserves
Kaylin Wren – Women’s
Jack Castle – Men’s
Coxswains
Kaitlyn Shields - Women's
Jonty du Toit - Men's
Coaches
Aimee Pink - Women’s Scull
Jack Allen - Men’s Scull
Josh Wedlake - Men’s Sweep
Hannah Starnes - Women’s Sweep
Team Manager
Claudia Hyde
Photo credit: Juliette Drysdale
Photo credit: Juliette Drysdale
Photo credit: Art of Rowing
Photo credit: Art of Rowing
Photo credit: Art of Rowing