Image Credit – Rowing Australia
With over 50 schoolgirls entered in the 2025 U19 Women’s Single Scull, making it through each round of the elimination process will be a challenge for all competitors. With so many young athletes taking on the difficult challenge of racing in the single scull, spectators will be able to witness the next generation of rowers take on this event, and reach new heights in the most honest boat class of them all.
Chelsea Skipper – Brisbane State High School
The current QLD U17 Women’s Single silver medalist Chelsea Skipper can go into her Australian Rowing Championship debut with confidence. With a rather impressive time over the 2000m course in her heat, not to mention thwarting the eventual gold medalist by more than 18 seconds, we know that Skipper can move quickly, especially relative to her competition – a necessary skill when looking at such a large field of competitors. She had some exceptional race experience at the 2025 QLD State Championships, also placing second in her heat in the U19 Women’s Single Scull, however she scratched from the final. Coming into the finale of the Australian season, it will be essential for Skipper to ensure she conserves her energy for when required – if successful in doing so, her debut may result in a podium finish.
Lucy Yabsley – Ascham School
With an impressive 11 second lead, Lucy Yabsley took home the gold this year in the 2025 NSW Head of the River Schoolgirl Single Scull. Yabsley’s gold medal tally this season does not end there, collecting two more in the U21 Women’s Eight and U19 Women’s Double at the 2025 NSW State Championships. To add to this impressive collection, Yabsley also raced her way to silver in the U19 Women’s Single and U19 Women’s Quad. Notably, Yabsley was selected for the U19 Australian women’s quad in 2024, finishing sixth overall – an exceptional career highlight for this talented young athlete. The sky truly does seem the limit for Yabsley, and her performance will be one to watch closely.
Konstantina Kafasis – Yarra Yarra Rowing Club
Hailing from Victoria, the recent silver medalist of the 2025 Head of the Schoolgirls Division 1 Schoolgirl Single raced exceptionally to secure her position. A Ruyton student and member of Yarra Yarra Rowing Club, Konstantina Kafasis has been prominent in the schoolgirl sculling scene this season, winning the Division 1 Schoolgirl Single at the 2025 RV State Championships, and competing with her crewmates across the state. Notably, Kafasis has been training under the eye of coach David Ochert, who has a renowned program known for producing top junior scullers in Victoria. After racing to some tough results in the Schoolgirl Single at the 2025 NSW State Championships, Kafasis will no doubt be ready to make her comeback at the Australian Rowing Championships.
Holly Fleming – Brisbane Girls Grammar School
The 2025 Schoolgirl Single state title holder from the ultra-competitive NSW State Championships, Holly Fleming will certainly have a few eyes on her as she lines up on race day. A talented sculler, Fleming also holds the 2025 NSW State Championship silver in the Schoolgirl Double Scull. In her home state of Queensland, Fleming raced to a bronze medal in the U19 Women’s Double Scull in the 2025 QLD State Championships, but narrowly missed out on a medal position in the U19 Women’s Single Scull. With her current ranking from the NSW State Championships, Fleming should be positioned for a successful campaign at the Australian Rowing Championships.
May Wain – Scotch Oakburn College
Winner of the 2025 Tasmanian Head of the River Schoolgirl Single and 2025 NSW State Championships silver medalist, May Wain will undoubtedly be looking to add an Australian Rowing Championships medal to her collection. A Tasmanian local used to racing on Lake Barrington, the exceptional program at Scotch Oakburn has shaped Wain well, with stellar sculling and sweeping performances alike. With a miss of less than a second for gold at the NSW State Championships, we know that Wain has the ability to race exceptionally well under pressure – and she should deliver a phenomenal performance.
Prediction
In a field as large as that of the U19 Single, the heats will produce some exciting racing. Athletes have to race hard to secure a spot in the final, and this ensures that spectators see some exceptional racing. Predicting the race results with such large numbers is always a difficult endeavour, and this year I predict that we will see Lucy Yabsley take the 2025 national title convincingly. Following Yabsley, I expect Holly Fleming to win the silver medal, and wrapping up the medal count will be May Wain. Skipper and Kafasis will likely be in hot pursuit, with Skipper taking fourth, followed by Kafasis in fifth in what will be an unmissable event.
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