Northern Territory clock the most metres per participant while Tasmanians come in second
Multiple World Records broken during event – with more to be ratified shortly
Queensland have been crowned the inaugural winners of Rowing Australia’s virtual 2020 Indoor Interstate Regatta. The State clocked an incredible 22,483,408 metres during the event that ran from 6 to 20 April.
The Northern Territory recorded the most metres per participant, an impressive 96,335 metres per entrant, while Tasmania came in second with 59,683 metres per participant. The event was launched with the cancellation of Australia’s Interstate Regatta and the new government restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and proved to be a hit with the rowing community and beyond.
With nearly 1800 participants from across the country, the online event saw Australians record 78,447,238 metres during the two week event – enough metres to almost circumnavigate the globe twice.
Rowing Australia CEO, Ian Robson said, “Congratulations to Queensland and the Northern Territory on being crowned the inaugural winners of our Indoor Interstate Regatta. It has been fantastic to see so many people taking part from across the country, from young children all the way through to the incredible 94-year-old Vince Home in Queensland.
“The event has shown us that Australians all want to keep active during this time and a huge congratulations to both Sirko Schroeder (NT) and Peta Robinson (QLD) who clocked the most metres in the country for their male and female categories respectively.
“Congratulations also to all of our new, or soon to be new, World Record holders, you, along with all our participants and have put in a mammoth effort over the last two weeks.”
Australian Rowing Team member Georgie Rowe, who set a new half-marathon World Record during the two-week period (setting a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 28 seconds), wrapped up her contribution for New South Wales by potentially breaking the World Records, for women aged 19-29, for the Marathon and the 4 minute. These new records are awaiting ratification by Concept2, however Rowe completed her marathon in a time of 2 hours 44 minutes 27 seconds, three minutes quicker than the previous record set by New Zealander Erin-Monique O’Brien in 2017.
The four-minute record (also awaiting ratification), which records how many metres an individual can record during a four minute session, saw Rowe beat Britain’s Rochelle Quigley’s record set in 2017, recording 1247 metres, some 103 metres more than the British rower.
Rowe’s team-mate, Paralympian Erik Horrie, set a new World Record in the PR1 Men’s Marathon (40-49) setting a time of 3 hours 13 mins 16 seconds. Meanwhile, Queenslander Mac Russell has set an incredible five new World Records in the PR3 ID category (Leg, Trunk Arms – Intellectual Disability) for men aged 19-29. Mac is confirmed as the new World Record holder for the Marathon, 6000m, 5000m, Four Minute and 100 metres.
There were many incredible stories throughout the two weeks, including that of 94-year-old Vince Home in Queensland who recorded 10,000 metres a day for the Sunshine State. Meanwhile, many Olympians and alumni came out of retirement to clock some metres for their State, including Olympic gold medallist David Crawshay (VIC).
Sirko Schroeder of the Northern Territory was the male participant who recorded the most metres in the country, while Peta Robinson from Queensland was the female participant who recorded the most metres. Both will receive $100 gift cards from Rowing Australia apparel partner, 776BC.
Meanwhile, below are the individuals who each recorded the most metres for their State/Territory. Those highlighted in yellow, clocked the most metres in their State/Territory and in turn have secured prizes for themselves and their clubs from Rowfit and OarInspired.
Male and Female with most Metres in the Country winning a 776BC $100 online voucher:
| State | Name | Metres |
| Northern Territory | Sirko Schroeder | 500,662 |
| Queensland | Peta Robinson | 319,132 |
Top Female and Male Athletes by State (Highlighted in Red win an Ergo Coach for their club courtesy of Rowfit and a camera tripod courtesy of OarInspired for scoring the most metres for their State/Territory)
| State | Female | Male | ||
| ACT | Charlotte Ryan | 124,431 | Jamie Bjerregaard | 170,645 |
| NSW | Nardia Guillaumier | 250,003 | Erik Horrie | 205,532 |
| QLD | Peta Robinson | 319,132 | Russell Cole | 408,291 |
| SA | Angie Francou | 172,320 | Bernard Le Riche | 275,000 |
| TAS | Molly McCausland | 294,656 | Wilson Mure | 380,146.5 |
| VIC | Helen Pearce | 171,583 | Paul Hamm | 337,375 |
| WA | Ros Bolster | 187,565 | Digby Marshall | 254,245 |
| NT | Belinda Smith | 150,213 | Sirko Schroeder | 500,662 |
Final Standings
| Ranking | State | Metres |
| 1 | Queensland | 22,483,408 |
| 2 | Victoria | 14,531,913 |
| 3 | Tasmania | 13,428,577 |
| 4 | New South Wales | 12,747,667 |
| 5 | South Australia | 5,386,765 |
| 6 | Australian Capital Territory | 4,277,246 |
| 7 | Western Australia | 3,761,302 |
| 8 | Northern Territory | 1,830,361 |
| Ranking | State | Metres per participant | Number of Participants |
| 1 | Northern Territory | 96,335 | 19 |
| 2 | Tasmania | 59,683 | 225 |
| 3 | Victoria | 48,119 | 302 |
| 4 | South Australia | 47,670 | 113 |
| 5 | Western Australia | 40,444 | 93 |
| 6 | New South Wales | 40,341 | 316 |
| 7 | Australian Capital Territory | 39,974 | 107 |
| 8 | Queensland | 38,764 | 580 |