The South Island Championships will showcase the best talent that the South Island has to offer and give the victorious a chance to ride high into the week-long battle of Nationals that awaits them.
The club and premier fours are hotly contested down south, with lightning-fast times and competitive racing a regularity; there is no doubt that these women plan to bring the intense competition expected of them this weekend.
Club Women’s Four
Racing is only growing in its intensity this season across the club women’s four, as Avon Rowing Club and Canterbury Rowing Club battle it out time and time again. 2024 saw Avon reign supreme, with gold medal finishes at both the 2024 South Island Championships and 2024 National Championships, but a speedy result from Canterbury at the 2025 Otago Championships will no doubt have Avon practising their mid-race push. Wairau Rowing Club shouldn’t be forgotten in this podium chase, with some exceptionally solid bronze medal performances in 2024. Similarly, Nelson Rowing Club has shown steady progression in recent years.
One can only expect that the battle for gold will be as intense as ever between the top two contenders, but it is my prediction that Avon will have used the last few weeks to their advantage and will take the win. The race will be exceptionally tough, with Canterbury pulling in a close second, and the exciting battle for bronze should not be forgotten – Nelson and Wairau will run this one out, with Wairu likely obtaining that coveted place.
Premier Women’s Four
The times are quick, and the predictions are quicker in this exceptionally exciting event – Avon Rowing Club has proven themselves over and over again to be the leaders in the premier four. The 2024 season saw some ridiculously dominant racing in this event, with Avon crews securing gold, silver, and bronze at the 2024 South Island Championships, not to mention a silver medal at the 2024 National Championships. This weekend, it should come as no surprise to see the crew of O’Sullivan, Collier, Ferguson, and Burrowes on the podium, with the second Avon crew following behind. Wairau will again put up a stellar performance for the bronze medal.
No doubt that the leading Avon crew will be keen for one final race before the start of Nationals – the question is, will a Nationals gold follow along with that of the South Island Championships?
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