Day 1: NZ Rowing Championships
Racing underway at the 2023 New Zealand Rowing Championships
Women's Premier Single Scull
Olympic gold medal single sculler Emma Twigg’s spent the summer training on the Waimakariri River just north of Christchurch keeping her eyes peeled for anglers, kayakers and any other obstacles.
Nothing was getting in her way on day one of the national rowing championships at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel.
Rowing in the famous black and white colours of the Hawke’s Bay RC, Twigg comfortably won her heat of the premier single sculls in 7:56.04. The 35-year-old is chasing a record 10th title in the event hoping to surpass the great Stephanie Foster who claimed nine titles between 1978-86.
Waikato’s Brooke Francis (née Donoghue) clocked the second fastest time (8:02.75) to win the opening heat. The double sculls silver medallist from the Tokyo Olympics has only just returned to full-time training after having her first child.
“It was fun being back in the water and it was a good battle against the other women,” Brooke said.
Star Boating Club’s Jackie Kiddle produced the third quickest row to win her heat in a time of 8:05.09. Kiddle was third at the World Championships last year in the lightweight single and was second to Twigg at the recent North Island Championships.
Cloe Callorda from Club De Remeros Mercedes in Uruguay, Juliette Alm-Lequeux from Otago University RC and Sophie Egnot-Johnson (Waikato RC) join athletes from the High Performance programme to go through to the semifinals.
Men’s Premier Single Scull
The return of Robbie Manson has been the big talking point of the summer for the men’s premier single. He’s been unbeatable in the lead up regattas and produced the quickest time of the two heats finishing in 7:09.46, just ahead of Waikato teammate Finn Hamill.
Olympic gold medallist Tom Murray won the other heat in a time of 7:12.45 to just edge Petone’s Phil Wilson. The rest of the field will line up for the Repechage tomorrow, With Matt Dunham former Henley Diamond Sculls winner and Ben Mason current U23 bronze medallist delivering strong performances in their respective Heats.
Women’s Premier Pair
This event is shaping up as an exciting opportunity with current champions Grace Prendergast retired and Kerri Williams on sabbattical.
Kerri’s sister Jackie Gowler (Aramoho Whanganui and Silver Tokyo Medallist) and Catherine Layburn (North Shore) led the way in the five-boat field in 7:17.93 followed by Waikato’s Ella Cossill and Canterbury's Phoebe Spoors (7:22.70).
The final will be a re-row of today’s prelim.
Men’s Premier Pair
Only five crews contested the Men’s Premier Pair as well, with Matt MacDonald (North Shore) and Brooke Robertson (Nelson) taking the fastest time (6:39.55). The next quickest combination was Flynn Watson and Will Gilbert from Avon, current U23 Silver Medallists (6:44.42).
Men’s Club Single Sculls
Forty-seven athletes lined up for the heats of the Men’s Club Single Sculls, the biggest event on the programme. It was a day for putting your best foot forward as only the winners of each of the eight heats went through to the quarterfinals. Everyone else will have to take their chances in repechages.
Lawrence Birch from Avon finished quickest in a time of 7:26.08 and he’ll be joined in the quarters by Clifton’s Liam Cox, Auckland RC’s Micah Fitton-Higgins and Ryan Gass, Hamilton RC’s Justin Smyth and Jack Clark, Otago University RC's Edwin George and Dunstan Arm RC's Henry Clatworthy.
Women’s Novice Double Scull
New Zealand has boasted big international success in the double sculls over the years and the event continues to be a drawcard for novice women athletes. Twenty-four crews from 15 different clubs contested three heats in one of today’s early events.
Star BC’s Ella Wellington and Olive Squire had the fastest time with 8:29.06, followed by Hannah Matehaera and Manaia Butler (8:30.04) from Otago University RC. Host club Twizel will also have a crew in the semi-finals with Kiara Thyne and Sadie Mason producing the third fastest time of the day (8:34.56).
More than 850 athletes from 44 clubs are competing at the championships which will culminate in finals on Friday and Saturday.
For full results from today and to view tomorrow’s schedule, visit rowit.nz