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Pride, passion and the (super) power of a row suit
Win or lose, New Zealand’s athletes are adding to our remarkable rowing story.
There’s lots of reasons athletes from other nations want a black New Zealand row suit.
The Women’s Under 23 Four so nearly running down the start-to-finish leaders from Great Britain on day six of the World Championships in Canada is one of them.
Alice Fahey, Madeleine Parker, Beckie Leigh and Lucy Burrell began the medal celebrations for the New Zealand crews after chasing GB all the way down the track to finish just a second adrift.
There was initial disappointment as they docked at the podium. But 13 boats arrived at St Catharines with identical aims.
A medal of any colour is a significant achievement, especially on a day when all three medallists surpassed the previous world best time.
Great Britain crossed in 6.22.29, New Zealand in 6.23.30 and Australia 6.26.37.
Just minutes later Josh Gordon, Callum Tutbury, Ed Lopas and Ben Shortt won bronze in the Men’s Four, an exceptional achievement in an Olympic class boat.
They were the only four to attend trials.
“They've come here as the only four that were prepared to do it,” says coach Dale Maher.
“We had no expectations, and then when we did so well in the heat I'm thinking, ‘Yep’, and then the semifinal, ‘Hell yeah!’’’
And for the final?
“The dream's there, go and grab it by the throat.”
Later, at the New Zealand tent, Oscar Ruston was draining a slushie after his performance in the Men’s Single to finish fourth, only losing his legs in the last 50m.
He attacked the first half of the race, absolutely taking it to favourite Timo Strache from Germany.
“That's exactly what I wanted to do. I [wanted to] got out as hard as I could and keep up with him and that's yeah exactly what I did.
“That's the best I've ever done and the best I’ve ever felt in a race, so, yeah, I'm stoked with that.”
The U19 Women’s Four were fast running out of runway before they found a superpower among themselves to make their contribution to the legacy of the Silver Fern.
Alice Denyer was like the kid that can’t look at the scary movie but keeps peeking between her fingers.
She walked away then couldn’t bear to miss what happened next.
Her Under 19 Four were in a dogfight for two A final spots. And they were third as they passed the 1500m mark.
Alice was shouting, she may have even sworn.
France went through in 5.01.82. Italy was next in 5.02.61. New Zealand’s Isabel Melville, Mila van Rensburg, Alice Ferguson and Stevie Mabey clocked 5.02.77.
“We had a big focus on not trying to be pretty and just trying to get the job done in any way, shape or form that it needs to be done,” says Alice. “Their last 200 metres was testament to their ability to forget what they look like and just do the job.
“Their last 100 metre split was a 1. 29, so it's pretty impressive. They're a very powerful crew. It's just harnessing that power and putting it into a rhythm that works for the four of them.”
France was first in the mad rush to the line in 6.43.76. New Zealand crossed in 6.44.17 to deny Italy (6.44.90) a spot in the A Final.
Will Alice be okay to watch if they leave it that late in the final?
“I don't mind where they leave it, if it comes through then they can do it wherever they want.”
Our U19 Women’s Four of Isabel Melville, Mila van Rensburg, Alice Ferguson and Stevie Mabey racing in their Final at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships. Photo: Art Of Rowing
Of course, those aren’t the only reasons Kiwi crews did the black row suit proud today.
The Under 19 Women’s Quad were pretty distraught after finishing fourth in their repechage. It doesn’t always go to plan in the big step-up to wearing the Silver Fern.
But they walked through that boatpark with dignity and distinction.
Just like the U23 Men’s Quad after finishing fourth in the B Final.
And in the afternoon both crews were down at the finish line giving it heaps for the other crews.
And you can be sure some of them won’t want to be giving any of that black kit away for something else just yet.
Our U19 Women’s Quad of Olivia Tattersfield, Emma Bagrie, Madeline Cox and Sophie Gibson racing in their repechage at the 2024 U19 world rowing championships heat. Photo: Art Of rowing
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and rowing coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
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- Home
- /
- International Regattas
- /
- Pride, passion and...
Pride, passion and the (super) power of a row suit
Win or lose, New Zealand’s athletes are adding to our remarkable rowing story.
There’s lots of reasons athletes from other nations want a black New Zealand row suit.
The Women’s Under 23 Four so nearly running down the start-to-finish leaders from Great Britain on day six of the World Championships in Canada is one of them.
Alice Fahey, Madeleine Parker, Beckie Leigh and Lucy Burrell began the medal celebrations for the New Zealand crews after chasing GB all the way down the track to finish just a second adrift.
There was initial disappointment as they docked at the podium. But 13 boats arrived at St Catharines with identical aims.
A medal of any colour is a significant achievement, especially on a day when all three medallists surpassed the previous world best time.
Great Britain crossed in 6.22.29, New Zealand in 6.23.30 and Australia 6.26.37.
Just minutes later Josh Gordon, Callum Tutbury, Ed Lopas and Ben Shortt won bronze in the Men’s Four, an exceptional achievement in an Olympic class boat.
They were the only four to attend trials.
“They've come here as the only four that were prepared to do it,” says coach Dale Maher.
“We had no expectations, and then when we did so well in the heat I'm thinking, ‘Yep’, and then the semifinal, ‘Hell yeah!’’’
And for the final?
“The dream's there, go and grab it by the throat.”
Later, at the New Zealand tent, Oscar Ruston was draining a slushie after his performance in the Men’s Single to finish fourth, only losing his legs in the last 50m.
He attacked the first half of the race, absolutely taking it to favourite Timo Strache from Germany.
“That's exactly what I wanted to do. I [wanted to] got out as hard as I could and keep up with him and that's yeah exactly what I did.
“That's the best I've ever done and the best I’ve ever felt in a race, so, yeah, I'm stoked with that.”
The U19 Women’s Four were fast running out of runway before they found a superpower among themselves to make their contribution to the legacy of the Silver Fern.
Alice Denyer was like the kid that can’t look at the scary movie but keeps peeking between her fingers.
She walked away then couldn’t bear to miss what happened next.
Her Under 19 Four were in a dogfight for two A final spots. And they were third as they passed the 1500m mark.
Alice was shouting, she may have even sworn.
France went through in 5.01.82. Italy was next in 5.02.61. New Zealand’s Isabel Melville, Mila van Rensburg, Alice Ferguson and Stevie Mabey clocked 5.02.77.
“We had a big focus on not trying to be pretty and just trying to get the job done in any way, shape or form that it needs to be done,” says Alice. “Their last 200 metres was testament to their ability to forget what they look like and just do the job.
“Their last 100 metre split was a 1. 29, so it's pretty impressive. They're a very powerful crew. It's just harnessing that power and putting it into a rhythm that works for the four of them.”
France was first in the mad rush to the line in 6.43.76. New Zealand crossed in 6.44.17 to deny Italy (6.44.90) a spot in the A Final.
Will Alice be okay to watch if they leave it that late in the final?
“I don't mind where they leave it, if it comes through then they can do it wherever they want.”
Our U19 Women’s Four of Isabel Melville, Mila van Rensburg, Alice Ferguson and Stevie Mabey racing in their Final at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships. Photo: Art Of Rowing
Of course, those aren’t the only reasons Kiwi crews did the black row suit proud today.
The Under 19 Women’s Quad were pretty distraught after finishing fourth in their repechage. It doesn’t always go to plan in the big step-up to wearing the Silver Fern.
But they walked through that boatpark with dignity and distinction.
Just like the U23 Men’s Quad after finishing fourth in the B Final.
And in the afternoon both crews were down at the finish line giving it heaps for the other crews.
And you can be sure some of them won’t want to be giving any of that black kit away for something else just yet.
Our U19 Women’s Quad of Olivia Tattersfield, Emma Bagrie, Madeline Cox and Sophie Gibson racing in their repechage at the 2024 U19 world rowing championships heat. Photo: Art Of rowing
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and rowing coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
