The schoolgirl coxed four promises to be an interesting event at this year’s NSW Head of the River. While there’s only a small field of six crews, the one-and-done format has tripped up many a favourite over the years. One bad stroke, one poor start, and suddenly, the less-favoured have leads they don’t relinquish.
But who are the favourites?
Canberra Grammar School
If you’re looking at results from this year’s NSW Rowing Championships, then it’s probably Canberra Grammar School’s Nellie Byron, Sophia Smith, Estella Robertson, Hannah Griffiths and Sophia Matz. They upgraded from fourth at the All Schools Championships in November to second at last month’s NSW Championships and PLC/Kings Regatta. On both occasions, they missed out on the first by less than a second to crews who are not competing this time. Is this when they break through for gold?
The second CGS crew of Iris Rangiah, Ella Vannan, Ella Shockley, Eliza Jones and Lucy Robins have had their share of success too. They made the A-final at the NSW Championships and finished fifth at the PLC/Kings Regatta. A shock loss to Canberra Girls Grammar in the schoolgirl eights at last weekend’s ACT Head of the Lake will have both CGS crews raring to make amends.
Loreto Kirribilli
The school that beat CGS at the NSW Championships? That would be Loreto Kirribilli – although that crew form half of a very strong first eight here. Sarah Steele, Zara-Jean Falinski, Chloe Stephenson, Imogen Sheil and Juliet Butler finished eighth at the PLC/Kings Regatta and fifth at the IGSA Sport Regatta, suggesting they may be off the pace this time.
Loreto Normanhurst
It’s been the blue, gold and white zooties of Loreto Normanhurst that have come out on top in their last two races against Loreto Kirribilli. Sinead Hickey, Sophia Lampe, Matilda Cronin, Abbey Timmins and Emma Cusack had comfortable wins against the aforementioned Kirribilli crew at the PLC/Kings and IGSA Sport Regattas last month. They did finish behind the Roseville and Tara School crews competing here, so will need improvement to make the podium.
Roseville
Roseville began the season by celebrating 30 years of rowing – will they be celebrating a win in the fours at the end of it? Chloe Franklin, Grace Mackinlay, Emma Du Preez, Abigail Kelly and Alex Davies won the IGSA Sport Regatta and finished just behind Canberra Grammar at the PLC/Kings Regatta and the NSW Championships. They led CGS through the first 1500m at the former regatta and will want to extend that over 2000m here.
Tara School
It’s been a mixed bag for the Tara School in the coxed fours this season. Olivia Bailey, Gemma Waterhouse, Hannah Ryan, Amy Rouse and Tamika Tran won bronze at the IGSA Sport Regatta but finished behind Roseville and both Canberra Grammar crews at the PLC/Kings Regatta. Success here could be another bronze by beating the second Canberra Grammar crew as well as Loretos Kirribilli and Normanhurst. It’s not out of the question, but they’ll need to continue improving.
Prediction
Canberra Grammar’s first crew and Roseville are the standouts here, with the Tara School and the second CGS crew battling for bronze. It’s hard to go past Canberra Grammar here for gold and bronze, with Roseville splitting them for the silver.
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