#ARC25 Day Five Preview – Finals frenzy continues

By Nick Jones at the Lake Barrington International Rowing Course

Finals fever will hit full stride on Friday at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships (#ARC25), with big names and even bigger performances expected across a jam-packed morning session.

With just three days of racing to go at #ARC25, the pressure is on for athletes chasing national titles and displaying powerful combinations as crew boats take to the lake.

Friday’s senior program begins with the Open Women’s Double Scull at 10:50am AEDT, featuring six combinations from across the country, including entries from ANU Boat Club, Sydney Rowing Club, Adelaide Rowing Club, Tasmania University Boat Club, Fremantle Rowing Club and Mercantile Rowing Club. 

But it’s the Open Men’s and Women’s Coxless Four finals that stand out as races to watch on day five.

The Women’s Four (11:10am AEDT) features several combinations that could provide an early glimpse into future international crews.

Melbourne University’s HPNTC-backed lineup will go up against Sydney Rowing Club, Sydney University Boat Club, University of Queensland Boat Club, and a UWA Composite crew featuring athletes from South Australia and New South Wales.

Rowsellas featuring in this competitive lineup are Georgie Gleeson (MUBC / HPNTC), Lucy Stephan OAM (MUBC), Lily Alton (UQBC), Elizabeth Newell (UQBC), Jacqui Swick (SRRC / HPTNC), Georgie Rowe (UTS Haberfield RC / HPNTC) and Bronwyn Cox (UWA Boat Club).

In the Open Men’s Four (11:20am AEDT), it’s a similar story.

Mercantile and Melbourne Uni’s NTC combination will line up alongside a Kand/Sydney crew stacked with Reinhold Batschi NTC rookies.

Entries from the University of Queensland, WARC, North Esk, and the Indian Army Rowing Node round out a full and highly competitive field.

Rowsellas taking to the course feature Angus Widdicombe (Mercantile RC) and Fergus Hamilton (Mercantile RC / RBNTC).

The Open Men’s Double Scull also promises tight racing, with Adelaide Rowing Club’s Mitchell Reinhard and newly crowned Men’s Single Scull Australian champion Oscar McGuinness progressing through Heat 1, while the 2024 Under 23 World Rowing Silver-medalling duo of Nick Blackman and Dominic Frederico clocked the fastest time across both heats in 6:26.12.

Selectors will be watching closely.

Other finals on Friday include:

• Under 17, 19, 21 and 23 Double Sculls, Coxed and Coxless Fours

• Open Lightweight Women’s and Men’s Double Sculls

• Under 23 Lightweight Double and Coxless Fours

• PR3 Women’s and Men’s Coxless Pair

• PR1 Women’s and Men’s Single Scull

Stay connected and immerse yourself in the action at #ARC25. For real-time updates and live results, click here. Don’t miss a moment – watch the action on our live stream as it unfolds on our YouTube channel. For more information, visit our official #ARC25 Website. 

#StrongerTogether | #ARC25