Finals begin at the 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships
Amidst improved water and wind conditions, day three of the 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships included a morning schedule of semi-finals, and an afternoon schedule of finals.
Grace Loveridge and Isabella Carter of Southern RPC had a dominant race in the women’s U20 pair, taking Gold in 7:28.15. Auckland RPC followed close behind with Sophie Egnot-Johnson and Jamie Harris crossing the line second and taking Silver in a time of 7:35.64, and Southern RPC’s second crew of Sophie Gowans and Alice Elworthy taking Bronze in 7:36.48.
Petone Rowing Club had an outstanding win over Oamaru Rowing Club and Hawkes Bay Rowing Club in the women’s novice eight. Mackenzie Tuffin, Isabelle Sears, Megan Thomas, Rylee Tafa, Ella Livingstone, Helena Rivers-Milliken, Cassie Singleton and ZoeKung were coxed by Jemma Allwood.
It was a tight race in the men’s senior quad final with Waikato Rowing Club’s Jack O’Leary, Joshua Earl, Karl Manson and Dan Bridgewater edging ahead of Clifton Rowing Club and Dunstan Arm Rowing Club. Waikato finished first in 6:08.37, with Clifton in second at 6:10.19 and Dunstan Arm third in 6:10.92.
Southern RPC had a strong lead in the men’s U22 quad final when they caught a boat stopping crab moments before crossing the finish line. Waikato RPC took advantage and powered past to take first place in 6:37.19, Southern taking second (6:37.49) and Auckland RPC taking third (6:41.96).
There was an exciting finish and a battle of north vs. south in the men’s premier quad between Southern RPC and Auckland RPC, with Southern coming away with Gold finishing 0.05 ahead of Auckland in a time of 6:22.92. Receiving their first Red Coats in commemoration of their first New Zealand premier title were Southern RPC's Cameron Crampton and George Howat, winning gold in the men’s premier quad alongside crewmates Nathan Flannery and James Lassche.
The Rowing New Zealand Legacy Programme is a very special recognition of our New Zealand representatives numbered from 1 through to 440, saluting their excellence and their historical relevance in rowing. Legacy Medals are to commemorate the participation of representatives of New Zealand rowing at an Olympic Games, Empire or Commonwealth Games, FISA European or FISA World Championships.
At a special function at Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel this evening, the New Zealand Rowing Foundation presented Legacy Medals to Charlie Saunders, Tristan Hegglun, Graham Lawrence, Murray Lawrence (brothers), Mark Brownlee, John Alexander, Lucy Spoors, Phoebe Spoors (sisters), Brooke Donoghue, Olivia Loe and Jessica Loe (sisters).
Friday and Saturday’s schedule include all remaining finals.
For full results from today and to view tomorrow’s schedule, visit rowit.nz
The 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships are proudly sponsored by Rocket Foods - supplying New Zealanders with good honest wholesale baked goods for over 20 years.