With the hype slowly building for the eagerly awaited New Zealand Rowing Championships, only one major event is left for our crews to lock in their racing form. So, which crews appear to be the frontrunners? Let’s dive into the women’s open eight category to find out.
North Shore Rowing Club
The North Shore women’s open eight has established itself as a dominant force so far this season, showcasing an impressive blend of seasoned athletes and talented newcomers. At the Christmas Regatta, they delivered a commanding victory, finishing five seconds clear of the competition. This crew’s balance of experience and youthful energy makes them a formidable contender, with a depth of talent that ensures success across multiple events.
Atlanta Bruce is at the crew’s heart, a powerhouse on both the water and the erg. A former St Peter’s Cambridge rower who has gone on to compete for the University of Washington Huskies, Bruce brings international experience and elite-level fitness, having achieved a range of impressive ergo times during her training in the U.S. Her strength and technique, whether sculling or sweeping, make her a standout in the boat. Another key member is Stevie Mabey, who demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure at last year’s National Championships, where she won a red coat with the premier women’s eight. Her experience adds a steady hand to this talented lineup. Regardless, the younger athletes in the crew are just as impressive. Olivia Tattersfield, who claimed victory in the U17 single scull at the Maadi Cup, is a rising star with exceptional sculling prowess, whilst her crew-mate, Emma Bagrie, won the U18 single. Annabelle Knowles, a champion sculler and former New Zealand U19 representative, adds further firepower, bringing international racing experience to the boat. This combination of established stars and emerging talent ensures that North Shore is not only dominant now, but may also have the potential to continue its success for years to come.
The crew has also shown versatility by competing in both sculling and sweeping events. At Christmas Regatta, they achieved a strong second-place finish in the women’s senior quad and saw success in the senior pair, where Mabey and Tattersfield paired up for another second-place result. This ability to perform across disciplines highlights their technical skill and depth as a squad. While they are favourites heading into the North Island Club Championships, their main competition may come from Waikato, who have the potential to field an exceptionally strong eight featuring elite-level athletes. This potential matchup adds intrigue to the regatta, as North Shore must maintain their sharpness and cohesion to fend off the challenge.
Waikato Rowing Club
The Waikato Rowing Club women’s open eight remains an enigma ahead of the North Island Club Championships, as their lineup has yet to be officially confirmed. At the Christmas Regatta, they showcased their extraordinary depth by fielding three competitive eights, although none of which managed to overcome North Shore’s dominance. However, the tantalizing possibility of Waikato assembling a crew of elite athletes looms large, creating immense anticipation for a potential clash at the regatta.
If Waikato chooses to field its top-tier athletes, the lineup could include some of the best up-and-coming rowers in New Zealand. Juliette Alm Lequeux, a proven New Zealand representative and premier boat winner, is an obvious candidate for such a crew, although if she races, the crew becomes a composite as she is technically part of Otago University Rowing Club. Mackenzie Tuffin, a red coat winner and New Zealand elite rower, is another athlete who could bring power and technical precision to the boat (she is part of Star Boating Club, so the same composite rules apply). These athletes, alongside the many other scullers and sweepers who have excelled in premier racing and represented New Zealand, make Waikato’s potential eight a formidable force.
The Christmas Regatta highlighted Waikato’s incredible depth, as they fielded two eights capable of competing at a high level. Not only that, their athletes’ success in the women’s premier pair, where all crews were from Waikato, demonstrates the club’s dominance in producing top sweep rowers. This depth ensures that Waikato has the flexibility to create a crew that challenges and potentially surpasses North Shore. With coaches at the club experienced to Olympic-level standards, they possess the expertise needed to prepare a crew for such a showdown. Should Waikato enter a stacked lineup, the women’s open eight could become the regatta’s most thrilling event. North Shore, the clear favourites based on their Christmas Regatta performance, would suddenly find themselves in the role of underdogs. A matchup between these two clubs promises a battle for supremacy, likely decided in the race’s closing stages. The final 750 meters would be a test of willpower, as neither crew would give an inch in pursuit of victory.
Prediction
Waikato’s depth of talent, combined with the uncertainty of their final lineup, makes them a wildcard heading into the event. Whether they opt for a balanced crew or unleash their full strength, their presence ensures the women’s open eight will be a must-watch race. The potential clash between Waikato and North Shore is not just a race but a spectacle, a showcase of the best talent New Zealand rowing has to offer. Frankly, it would be unfair to call the victors at this point.
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