Image Credit: Rowing New South Wales
The culmination of the past two months of racing at The Champion Lakes Regatta Centre has finally arrived. With all to play for in the pennant point standings between the University of Western Australia BC and Swan River Rowing Club, the Championship Men’s Open Single Scull is set to be a fantastic spectacle. The course, known for its tricky prevailing cross-headwind, is sure to throw some curve balls but may reward those with experience.
Alex Rossi – West Australian Rowing Club
After falling short in the Men’s Quad at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in June, Alex Rossi has returned home to Perth ahead of the Australian summer. One of the most impressive senior Australian sculling group members last season, Rossi has made his presence known in the Wildflower State since his arrival. Following two golds and a bronze across the four pennant regattas, taking the win in his most recent race by a convincing ten seconds, Rossi comes into this event as the hot favourite. However, nobody is infallible, so until the silverware is in his hands, anything could happen.
Jacob Cassey – Fremantle Rowing Club
One of the younger members of this field, Jacob Cassey, has shown flashes of speed in the past year, having just missed out on an A-final slot at last year’s National Championships. Undoubtedly, he will be keen to make his mark on the West Australian field this year. A podium and two fifth-place finishes at the most recent pennant regattas may not bode well on paper, but with a few bigger names choosing to race other events, the door may well be open for a medal.
Riley Rees-Turner – Swan River Rowing Club
Perhaps the dark horse of this field, Riley Rees-Turner is the only competitor, besides Rossi, to have recent Australian representation under his belt. Whilst an eighth place at the second pennant regatta is certainly no predictor for success, Rees-Turner has been a part of the Australian U23 team for the past two years and represented as a part of the development squad sent to Shanghai in 2023. Whilst lacking recent race experience in the single, expect him to be in the mix here.
Ben Clayton – University of Western Australia Boat Club
One of the busiest athletes on the pennant calendar this year, Ben Clayton will be aiming to cap off a busy series with a medal in this event. The UWABC Vice-President of High Performance has recorded four top-six finishes so far this season, including two podiums, most recently a third at Pennant Regatta Four. Clayton is certainly the most well-prepared competitor in this field regarding time spent on the blustery Champion Lakes course, making him a serious contender for the medals come finals time.
Remy Payne – Fremantle Rowing Club
The youngest competitor in the field, Remy Payne will be looking to prove that age is no barrier in the Championship Single Scull. Notching up two podiums and a sixth thus far across the pennant series, the youngster will be looking to put on a performance reminiscent of his junior years, where he claimed the 2023 Schoolboy Single Scull National Title. If he succeeds, you can expect a show which will ramp up the pressure for the more seasoned scullers.
Harry Fox – Melbourne University Boat Club
Harry Fox, the sole entrant from ‘over east’ at this Championships, has been enjoying winter training in sunny Perth. This stint has signalled a return to sculling for the Victorian, with a strong showing in the past two Pennant regattas placing second behind Rossi. Being a 2019 Junior World Champion, he is a serious contender in this event and has regularly been within striking distance, but given his penchant for sweep rowing over the past season, may struggle to close the gap to Rossi and the top spot of the podium.
Prediction
Whilst we’ve certainly seen a varied running order in the four races leading up to the championships, it’s hard to see even the strongest of Champion Lakes cross-headwinds upsetting Alex Rossi on his run to the title. As it has been for the past two races, Harry Fox should be hot on his heels, but the home course advantage will likely be enough to see Rossi home. Remy Payne impressed me at nationals last year, and his form so far this season tells me he will be best of the rest for bronze.
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