Champions crowned at the 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships
Emma Twigg made an impressive debut in her first national event since the Rio 2016 Olympics, taking Gold in the women’s premier single scull representing Waikato RPC (7:24.22). Emma returned to the Rowing New Zealand Summer Squad team in October 2018 and will be vying for selection into the 2019 Elite team. Brooke Donoghue, also of Waikato RPC took Silver (7:27.99) and Zoe McBride of Central RPC took Bronze. McBride competed in the 2018 international season in the women’s lightweight double scull.
In the women’s senior four, Waikato Rowing Club’s Stephanie Baker-Burns, Olivia Warlow, Alex Stefanovski and Marlene Mangeolle took Gold after crossing the line less than two seconds ahead of Avon Rowing Club’s Mollie Weston, Ivana Giacon, Georgia Freeman and Christina Baker-Burns. Otago University Rowing Club’s Sydney Telfer, Caoimhe Dempsey, Josie Cook and Gabby Hunter took Bronze.
In the women’s U20 single scull Southern RPC had three crews in the line-up and two on the dais, with Isabella Carter taking Gold (7:54.16), Kathryn Glen taking Silver (7:56.38) and Waikato RPC’s Justine Hobbs taking Bronze (7:58.38). Carter also took Gold in the women’s U20 pair alongside crewmate Grace Loveridge, and Silver in the women’s U22 four.
The women’s premier eight was taken out by Central RPC’s Jackie Gowler, Ella Greenslade, Kerri Gowler, Beth Ross, Ruby Willis, Georgia Nugent-O’Leary, Kirstyn Goodger, Ruby Tew and coxswain Ella Greenslade.
Robbie Manson achieved his third Premier class victory of the regatta with the retention of his men’s premier single sculls title. Across six lanes, Manson, Mahe Drysdale, Jordan Parry, Harrison Somerville, Brook Robertson and Karl Manson lined up to contest the title, with Drysdale taking Silver in 6:55.00 and Parry taking Bronze in 6:59.12. Manson was also named as Male Rower of the Year for the 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships.
The men’s club four saw an incredibly tight finish between West End Rowing Club, Star Boating Club and Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club. West End’s Jesse Homer-Pilcher, Mark Lawrence, Joshua Shields, Nathan Smith and Amber Fordham maintained a slight lead across the last 250m and took Gold for West End (6:48.32) while Star and Aramoho Whanganui battled it out for Silver, with Star crossing second (6:49.42) and Aramoho Whanganui taking Bronze crossing the line third (6:49.81).
No strangers to painting the Boss Rooster Trophy, 2018 champions Michael Brake, Samuel Jones, and Cameron Webster took Gold in the men’s premier four with new crewmate Matt MacDonald. Avon Rowing Club took Silver ahead of Auckland Rowing Club taking Bronze. The Boss Rooster Trophy remains one of the most prestigious prizes in New Zealand rowing - historically the trophy, which was first contested in 1897, has been awarded to the men’s premier coxed four. However the highly coveted club trophy was switched last year to the men’s premier coxless four. Tradition dictates that the winning team has to paint the Boss Rooster trophy in club colours within one hour of the finish, or forfeit a keg of beer to the remaining crews in the field.
In one of the fastest times recorded on the Lake Ruataniwha course, the men’s premier eight was won by Auckland RPC’s Stephen Jones, Samuel Jones, Matt MacDonald, Cameron Webster, Isaac Grainger, Michael Brake, Lewis Hollows, Blake Bradshaw and coxswain Ben Tyson in a time of 5:35.08. Southern RPC took Silver (5:36.83) with Central RPC taking Bronze (5:37.95).
Waikato Rowing Club's Matt Cameron was named as the 2019 Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships Coach of the Year.
For full results from today, 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.