KRI Club Regatta opened up the 2024 New Zealand racing season with a bang, marking the first major event of the calendar. Despite some wet weather, some great racing prevailed, and here are the highlights of the Intermediate events.
Women’s Coxed Fours
Following a tight battle down the course for a first-place finish, it was ultimately the North Shore Rowing Club crew that crossed the line with a slim two-second margin over St George’s Rowing Club. A close fight to the line saw St George’s second crew finish just half a second behind their first crew. This shows remarkable depth and could foreshadow good things for them this season. Finally, just off the podium, the two Mercer Rowing Club crews battled it out for fourth and fifth to close out the top five in the A-final.
Men’s Coxed Fours
A dominant display from the crew of Sacred Heart Auckland rowing under the colours of Auckland Rowing Club saw an almost 20-second lead stretch out over the crews from Auckland Grammar Rowing Club and Hawkes Bay Rowing Club. A reflection of the strong presence of the Sacred Heart rowing program throughout the regatta, they took the win in an unprecedented performance. Clearly, they will be the club to beat this season, and from here on out, they’ll have a target on their backs.
Women’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls
With a lead of just over one length, the crew from Tauranga Rowing Club secured a tough but comfortable win over St George’s, who boated a crew composed very similarly to their coxed four. A much more tightly packed A-final, the field saw the top three crews within less than ten seconds of each other, with the third and fourth crews, both from North Shore, battling it out to a boat-length difference. With two crews packed so closely together, you have to wonder if, with a bit of crew meddling, we could see North Shore at the top of the podium come Christmas Regatta.
Men’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls
A fast Whangarei Rowing Club quad placed first, almost two whole boat lengths up on two competitive quads from the Hawkes Bay Rowing Club. Reflecting the depth of talent in the scullers from Hawkes Bay, the two quads placed second and third, fighting off an eager West End crew to the podium by a tight margin. Moreover, only half a second behind them came Mercer in fifth, another close conflict. After only one regatta, it’s clear this is going to be a thrilling event.
Women’s Double Sculls
A close finishing top three positions saw Rotorua Rowing Club finish just two seconds up on the crew from Bay of Plenty Coast Rowing Club, with a similar margin back to Hawkes Bay Rowing Club. Following closely behind to close out the top five positions, the two Mercer crews battled it out for a fourth and fifth with only one second between them. With the top five so compacted, it would be no surprise to see a tight contest and the finishing order changing in the coming races.
Men’s Double Sculls
Once again, the scullers from St George’s finished first in the men’s doubles. Similarly to the past few years, St George’s continues to do well in the double scull, showcasing the strong background of the club. A length back from the St George’s scullers saw the Hawke’s Bay boys take out second place, followed by a strong performance by Bay of Plenty Coast in third. With strong resemblances to the women’s doubles podium, its clear to see which clubs have been focusing on this boat class.
Women’s Single Sculls
A dominant display by the sculler from St George’s: Keana MacCallum saw the North Island Club Championships bronze medallist from earlier this year take out the competition at this regatta. A strong performance from Waikato Rowing Club: Louise Goodwin left her just a boat length and a half down. Finishing off the podium in third place was the sculler from Counties Manukau Rowing Club: Tempest Spires, maintaining a strong lead over the remainder of the field.
Men’s Single Sculls
A strong performance from St George’s: Alex Fahey gave him gold, taking it convincingly by seven seconds. A well-fought battle for second place saw the Mercer Rowing Club: Vaughn Cameron come out on top over Hawke’s Bay Rowing Club: Josh Massingham with a slim one-second margin. These three seemed to be in a league of their own, separating themselves from the rest of the field by a notable nine seconds. At least at the moment, it appears they’ll just be racing each other this year.
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