Friday 29 January
Race rowing returns with pennant regatta
Oliver Wilson-Haffenden, Hobart Mercury, 29/01/10
THIS weekend sees rowing return to Lake Barrington for the sixth and final pennant regatta as crews prepare for the State Championships on February 13–14.
Racing should be fierce with automatic entry into major State Finals on offer to crews that achieved a top three ranking over the season in their event.
This regatta will also see the return of a number of schools with Collegiate, St Mary's, Scotch Oakburn, Grammar and St Patrick's all beginning the racing season before the official start to the school season from February 22.
Officials would be pleased with the number of entries in the under-17 single sculls with 60 rowers entered in the men's races, including 25 entries from the Hutchins school and 44 entries in the women's event.
Division one should see a close contest between Hutchins rowers Sam Herron and Nathan Brown and New Norfolk's Riley Grining.
Buckingham duo Emily Scott and Mel Flanagan will look to continue their strong form in the women's division one event.
In the open events, the absence of many elite rowers from the Tasmanian Institute of Sport and Australian Development Squads, due to National Selection requirements will see close contests across the board as rowers look to achieve a win in division one.
In the men's senior single Taylor Wilczynski, the only competing Institute athlete, will face strong competition from past Junior and Australian under-23 representatives Adam Wertheimer and Michael Egan.
And in the women's senior single Ella Flecker looks to be the standout favourite in the absence of Tamar's Carly Cotton and Ingrid Fenger.
Then, in the race for the State Pennant, Buckingham appears to have an unassailable leave over the teams of North Esk and Huon.
Weather conditions are forecast to be ideal and the regatta gets underway at 10am on Saturday with Division 2 of the women's eights.
Thursday 28 January
Girls on a mission
Nick Wade, Geelong Advertiser, 28/01/10
GEELONG Grammar First VIII girls rowing team is on a mission to create its own history in the famous Barwon Regatta this weekend.
Brimming with seven fresh faces, the girls are not daunted by the weight of expectation that comes with following the footsteps of their all-conquering predecessors.
A total of 578 crews from various schools and clubs across Victoria have started descending on the region to compete in the weekend's 88 events involving 271 races.
Grammar First VIII girls coach Ross Featherston said the focus for his new rowers was all about etching their own success into the school's proud rowing history.
The Grammar girls were the toast of the state rowing fraternity last year, taking out the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta, the state titles and the Head of the River.
"They're very excited, they're trying to not compare themselves to last year's crew, or crews that have won it in the past, because if they do, they're setting themselves up with too high expectations," he said.
"We're just trying to create our own chapter so to speak.
"We haven't got the same experience of last year's group – last year had a number of rowers going around for the second time – this year we've only got one, but they're all as fit as last year's crew, and they train just as well, the question is how they'll race."
The girls have joined their male Grammar counterparts for a training camp along the Barwon River.
Geelong Grammar First VIII boys coach Jeff Watt said his boys were set to face fierce competition from Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar. Like the girls, the Grammar VIII experienced a heavy turnover of rowers and will confront a Scotch line-up boasting the nucleus of the same formidable crew that claimed success across the state last year.
This weekend's regatta is also a significant moment for Grammar, with 17-year-old Sami Sloss joining the boys to become the school's first ever female cox in the boys' VIII.
"It's a bit hard to tell at the moment, they're going okay, they've done some good times, but it's all relative to how the others are going and you can only perform as well as the others are going," Watt said. "Where they'll finish, who knows?"
Wednesday 27 January
Legendary contributor
Manning River Times, 27/01/10
GRAHAM Nix was announced as the 2010 Australia Day Sports Award winner, at the Taree Australia Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Although he was the only sports nomination, his dedication and contribution to local sport is legendary.
"He is known as a quiet achiever who is reliable, patient, committed and honest," said the club when nominating him.
He has been an integral member of the Manning River Rowing Club for almost 40 years and a life member since 1986.
During this time he has held the position of treasurer, club captain and also competed in State and national titles.
In 2009 Graham competed and was a volunteer boat official in the World Masters Games.
Graham has lent his skills as a rowing coach since the early 70s and held the role of administrator at the local and district level for 38 years. Graham was also president of the Central Districts Rowing Association for 14 years.
During his long sporting career Graham has participated and placed in many events. Graham's first rowing win was in 1964 in the novice four at the Manning River Aquatic Carnival regatta. Following this were numerous wins the latest being in October 2009 in the World Masters Game in Sydney, placing 3rd in the men's final F quad scull. He is also the author of two rowing books: 25th Anniversary Rowing Book and the 50th Anniversary Rowing Book - '50 Years Through the Work'.
Graham has always remained passionate about his sport and the rowing club.
"He leads by example and is a positive role model to numerous junior members of the club."
Monday 25 January
Leading rowers face the selectors
Hobart Mercury, 25/01/10
ROWING selectors finalised three of the five state crew boats yesterday at the state selection trials at Lake Barrington after severe winds and rough water forced the cancellation of Saturday's scheduled racing.
The men's and women's youth eights and the women's lightweight quad are settled, but one seat is still to be decided in the Penrith Cup lightweight four.
The lightweight four has been Tasmania's most successful boat in recent years.
This year's squad consists of three Olympians and two Australian representatives.
Sam Beltz, Anthony Edwards, Tom Gibson, Blair Tunevitsch and Ali Foot will continue to compete to cement their seats after Tasmanian Institute of Sport head coach Brett Crow chose not to finalise the boat.
Three-time Olympic medallist Anthony Edwards said the crew was "very motivated" to knock off Western Australia, which ended Tasmania's record eight successive victories from 1999 to 2006 in the event and has taken the last three Australian Championships.
The men's youth eight will be stroked by under 23 World Championship bronze medallist Taylor Wilczynski.
The women's youth eight will be stroked by last year's Schoolgirls National Champion stroke Eve Mure from the Huon Rowing Club.
Thursday 21 January
Manning among medals
Manning River Times, 21/01/10
THE Manning River and Port Macquarie rowing clubs held a very successful rowing regatta over the weekend on the Manning River.
The 212 races were enjoyed by all the participating clubs, who travelled from as far away as the Gold Coast.
Queensland's Somerset College of rowers have been participating in a coaching camp on Oxley Island this year and thoroughly enjoyed the regatta.
Manning River members to achieve good results at the regatta included:
Sam Steedman won the men's under 17 single scull, the men's C grade single scull and the men's C grade double scull combining with Sam King.
John Corbett won his division of the men's C grade single scull.
Bronte Thurtell won the under 19 single scull event over 2000m
Richard Riddell, rowing with brother Bruce Riddell from the Endeavour club, won the men's masters double scull.
Janine Lippi from Balmain and Mandy Cavill from Manning River on the women's masters double scull. They combined with Nicole Pullen and Heidi Pullen to win the masters women's quad Scull and the masters coxed four with Erica Birkefeld as coxswain.
Phil Walters, A J Rooney, Tony Beeton, Trent Angwin and Ray Beeton as coxswain won the men's masters coxed four in an impressive display of power rowing right from the start.
Wednesday 20 January
Regatta on its mark for a racy new start
Hobart Mercury, 20/01/10
DRAWING a connection between rowing and Formula One motor racing may seem strange, but not at the Sandy Bay Regatta on January 26.
Regatta chairman Richard Gerathy said a new race, the John Garrow Pursuit, would involve rowing eights racing to and from the John Garrow Light.
The race is from a Le Mans start, harking back to the early days of Formula One motor racing.
He said the eights would line up, stern to Long Beach, and at the "go" the coxswains would run down the beach and jump into their seat and then their crews would race to the light, round it and return.
"Rowing eights are over 60 feet [18.mi] long and with crews weigh nearly one tonne," Mr Gerathy said.
"Rowing at Long Beach is exciting because the crews are very close to the shore and being a sprint they travel very fast, so it is an ideal place to develop a new style of racing."
Rowing starts at 8am with the new event planned for 10am.
Other water sports planned for the day include a nippers' surf lifesaving carnival, dinghy sailing and long-distance kayak racing.
The program and activities included sailing, a children's beach fun run, an Australia Day citizenship ceremony, a beauty pageant, cricket, treasure hunt, a rock climbing wall, Tommy choo-choo, a pie-eating competition and helicopter simulator.
Mr Gerathy said community regattas like the one at Sandy Bay were a part of Tasmania's heritage that had now become rare.
The Sandy Bay Regatta, held every Australia Day, is a tradition which started in 1848.
"These regattas celebrate our maritime history. They were started by people who made their living on the water, and wanted to give something back by putting on a great day for local families." he said.
"Our committee of volunteers sees themselves as custodians of a unique and special part of Tasmania's history.
"For some years the Sandy Bay Regatta was in danger of dying out as it moved from its traditional roots, however the regatta has been revitalised and is once again a fun family day out."
Monday 18 January
Gibson back to best
Ollie Wilson-Haffenden, Hobart Mercury, 18/01/10
Olympians make impressive return
WITH only four weeks until the state rowing championships the heat was on among Tasmania's elite rowers on the final day of racing at the Franklin regatta yesterda.y
Yesterday saw a change in conditions from Saturday's competition, with rowers battling a variable head wind and incoming tide.
The conditions made for tougher racing and significantly slower times in comparison to those of Saturday's world record pace.
In the men's senior scull, Olympian Tom Gibson took the opportunity to get back into racing on his home course, with a convincing five second win over Lindisfarne's Shaun Finlayson.
He is one of three returning Tasmanian Olympians, along with Anthony Edwards and Sam Beltz, who are making a steady comeback after taking a year off from the Beijing campaign.
All will be looking to be selected in the Tasmanian men's senior lightweight four for the upcoming national championships.
The men's senior four saw an absorbing struggle between Tasmania's leading senior and youth lightweight rowers.
The senior Huon composite combination of Australian and Olympic representatives showed their class and experience, winning by a clear margin ahead of the under-23 lightweight composite crew comprising Buckingham, New Norfolk and Tamar rowers.
The men's senior eight provided an entertaining fight between Lindisfarne and Hutchins with the Lindisfarne crew, stroked by Shaun Finlayson, holding on for a half length win over the fast- finishing Hutchins crew.
Buckingham rounded out the placings with the interstate Aquinas College crews finding the strong head wind conditions tough going, to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
The Huon rowing club had a successful weekend on their home course having a number of division one wins.
In the women's senior single Huon's Ella Flecker capitalised on the absence of Carly Cotton and Ingrid Fenger and overcame damage to her boat to hold off a persistent Annabel Gibson to take a strong win.
Huon proved a class above the opposition in winning the women's senior coxless quad by 25 seconds over North Esk.
The Hutchins School capped off a successful weekend in underage rowing to win the under-19 pair as well as the under-17 double scull and coxed four.
Buckingham dominated the junior women's events extending their lead over North Esk in the state pennant points.
Rowers will now set their sights on the state trials, which will be held this weekend at Lake Barrington.
The next state pennant regatta will be held at Lake Barrington the following weekend.
The national championships will be held on Lake Nagambie, Victoria, from March 1–7.
Friday 15 January
Rowers racing ahead to trials
Hobart Mercury, 15/01/10
THIS weekend will see rowers from across the state travel to The Franklin River to compete in the fifth State Pennant regatta of the season.
Following the Christmas break and the cancellation of much of state pennant four (due to bad weather) all rowers will be looking to get back into racing and ready for the state championships, now only four weeks away.
Buckingham has extended its lead over closest rivals North Esk and Huon and looks to be clear favourites to take out the pennant points for the 2009/2010 season.
Olympians Anthony Edwards and Tom Gibson will be a new pairing for this regatta and will be the combination to watch in the men's senior pair, while the men's senior scull will no doubt see a close contest between Taylor Wilczynski and Ali Foot Sr in the absence of Sam Beltz and Blair Tunevitsch.
The women's senior single will be another race to watch with the return of Ella Flecker from injury on her home course. The race will also feature past world champion Carly Cottam and Australian representative Ingrid Fenger.
The regatta will host Western Australia's Aquinas College which has been training on the Huon with The Hutchins School. The college will compete in a number of events including the men's senior eight and the men's under 19 four.
Unfortunately, the regatta will notice the absence of a number of Tasmania's best senior lightweights due to national training commitments.
The regatta will provide the last opportunity for those invited in state trials to get some much needed racing practice following the Christmas break.
The men's senior four, men's and women's under-23 pairs and women's senior single scull will each be of particular importance for those vying for state selection. State selection trials will be held the following weekend at Lake Barrington.
Tuesday 12 January
Mum back in the boat, ready to win
Peter Gardiner, Noosa News, 12/01/10
In the eyes of many women Hannah Every-Hall has done something that deserves a gold medal.
After giving birth to her son Charlie 12 months ago, the 32-year-old managed to shed 12kg while caring for the newborn and his three-year-old brother Harrison.
Taking a break from her job as a qualified dietician who dabbles in personal training, the Noosa-based mum is trying to inspire others with her own story of how an overweight teenager rose to the highest occasion, not once but twice, to become a world rowing champion.
The first time was when this former rural Victorian netball player, who took up competitive rowing at university, won the under 23 lightweight double scull in 1999, then the lightweight quad scull in 2002.
Most mothers with two growing boys to look after would rest on their laurels and come to grips with the extra family demands. But Hannah has some unfinished business in London.
A little thing called the Olympic Games that were denied her in 2002 when she was at the peak of her powers – up until that point at least.
A serious ovary disorder forced her out of competition for a year but she was on track to make her mark at the Athens Olympic trials when she was floored by an anaphylactic reaction to her cat.
"After that I had to decide whether I wanted to press on for another four years (to the Beijing Olympics) or if I wanted to have a family."
But after Charlie came along, a voice kept telling her to go for it – her elusive Olympic dream.
It sounded exactly like her main motivator – husband Michael, who contacted the Noosa News late last year to relay the results of what could be called not a comeback but a "mum-back".
"Such has been the speed of her comeback – she has only been back in training for five months after six years away from top level rowing – that she has been selected to attend this week's national training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport," he said.
This was after she had blown the opposition away and any doubts about whether she still had the grit needed, by taking gold in the lightweight single and the double sculls states titles at Bundaberg.
Hannah, who lists rowing legend Drew Ginn as one of her heroes, will tune up for the Australian titles in March with a hit out at the New South Wales titles next month.
Then it is down to the serious business of the national selection trials in April before the world titles in New Zealand in November.
But the big picture is London 2012 and the only gold medal that really matters.
And with 10 top-line contenders vying for two seats in her preferred double scull – her motto: "If not now, when? If not me, who?" will be solidly put to the test.
"The kids definitely give me a lot of balance and they are at an age where Michael can look after them when I train in the morning. And after I put them to bed I often go out and train."
Hannah said being based in Noosa was no disadvantage to her goal.
Whenever she needs an elite tune-up she ducks down to the Academy of Sport in Brisbane for testing.
"It depends on who I may get matched up with in the boat – I may have to move away for the sake of training."
In the end she is rowing for every mum who wanted to prove their body and mind is more than a match for younger athletes.
Her overall goal in life on her website is simple and to the point: "Combine motherhood and top level competition to prove that mothers can achieve at the highest level."
To get there she needs as much professional support available to become a corporate ambassador.
To sponsor Hannah visit www.hannaheveryhall.com.
Monday 11 January
11 wins fall short in title defence
Border Mail, 11/01/10
COROWA Rowing Club has fallen just short of defending its title as most successful club at the annual Murray Rowing Association Regatta at Lake Moodemere on the weekend.
Corowa recorded 11 wins, third behind victorious Hawthorn Rowing Club with 13 and runner-up Barwon Rowing Club with 12.
More than 1200 people lined the banks of the lake over the weekend to take in the 310 races featuring 450 rowers and clubs from across Victoria.
"We've had very positive feedback on what's been a great, fun regatta," Murray Rowing Association president Paul Somerville said.
"'This regatta has been the fastest growing in the state for the past eight years and when we go away people talk about what a great, fun regatta it is."
In the blue ribbon races, the Victorian Championships, the men's sprint fours was won by Hawthorn, the women's sprint fours by Barwon and Hawthorn also won the men's sprint eights.
Among the local winners were Corowa Rowing Club's Rhylee Dea, 17, from Wahgunyah, and Doug Shelley, 19, from Rutherglen, in the men's C-grade scull and Rutherglen Rowing Club's Joel Chambers in the D-grade single scull.
"Joel is an up and comer and we're expecting even bigger things from his during the season," Somerville said.
"He's only been rowing for a year.
Somerville said funds raised from the catering of the free event will go back into the sport in the district.
"The funds raised go to putting on the regatta, which is used to promote the sport in the area as well as the high schools and clubs," he said.
"Corowa Rowing Club is going very well, Wahgunyah Rowing Club is going OK and Rutherglen Rowing Club is in a rebuilding phase at the moment.
"Rowing is very much a grassroots sport, very few people get paid to do it and very few people get paid to coach it."
Somerville said the busy event had gone off without a hitch.
"It's gone very smoothly considering the hot conditions," he said.
