Blessed with a week of perfect conditions to accompany the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Ruataniwha, over 2000 athletes took to the water for New Zealand rowing’s premier event in the junior calendar. With over fifty events spanning the week-long regatta, high quality racing was in no short supply.
Maadi Cup (BU18 Eight) – Hamilton Boys High School
Securing the trifecta of glory, Hamilton Boys High School not only took home the Dunstan Trophy for the under-18 pair and the iconic Springbok Shield for the under-18 four, but topped the week off with the one that started it all. Following an almost undefeated season across both junior and senior events, it was no surprise to see Zach Brownlee and Dylan McConnell cruising along with a comfortable early lead in their pair. The two joined Ethan Steyn and William Milne, along with cox Ryan Ollington for another convincing win in the four before the headliner to close the week. Corben Campbell, Wynston Roberts, Jonty Mackintosh and Jack Ramsey made up the remaining seats of the champion eight, crossing the line ahead of St Bede’s College to the sound of cheers from the crowd on the bank.
Levin Jubilee Cup (GU18 Eight) – Christchurch Girls’ High School
A historic win in the penultimate race of the regatta saw Christchurch Girls’ High School take home the Levin Jubilee Cup for the first time. As if a fire had been lit beneath them, the eight shot away from the group at the half-way mark and held their lead against the runners-up from St Margaret’s College, crossing the line to cue emphatic celebration. In a tearful post-race interview with Wendy Petrie (@wendytvnz) cox Sofia Bohm detailed the elation and relief the crew were feeling following the win, citing the crew’s commitment to ‘leaving it all out there’.
Noel Lynch Trophy, Electricorp Trophy & Trudy Keys Cup – Cashmere High School
In true domination of the quadruple scull events, Cashmere High School will need to make some room in their cabinet after winning the Electricorp Trophy, Trudy Keys Cup and Noel Lynch Trophy for under-16, under-17 and under-18 finals respectively. Led by cox Hazel Bown, Poppy Wyndham, Abbie Higgins, Eleri Clare and Thea Murdie secured Cashmere the U17 and U18 golds, whilst Clare and Murdie instead joined Charlotte Clatworthy and Reagan Kelly to take home the U16 title. Not wanting to be left out of the celebrations, the under-15s also stole a win in the octuple sculls final, less than a second ahead of St Peter’s School. With the level of competition attending the event, to take a gold in every age category is beyond impressive from Cashmere High School and their sculling domination will certainly make the girls a squad to watch next season, given their evident depth of talent.
Tauranga Girls College Cup (GU15 Eight) – Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
In possible one of the most exciting races of the day, the Tauranga Girls College Cup for the under-15 girls’ eight saw Rangi Ruru‘s B-crew hold off their favoured A-crew teammates to secure a win, whilst an even closer battle ran between Waikato Diocesan School and St Margaret’s College. The two fought down to the wire and a highly anticipated confirmation from the commentator locked in Waikato Dio as having secured the bronze medal.
Livestream footage of Aon Maadi Regatta 2024 is available at https://rowinghub.co.nz/livestream excluding Under-15 events which are banned under NZSSSC regulation.
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