LOCAL rowers converged on Lake Wendouree last weekend for the 2022 Wendouree Ballarat Regatta.  

The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) competed among 1400 of the state’s best, as well Olympic gold medallists, Lucy Stephan and Kat Werry.   

Opening the THAC regatta campaign female Under-19 quad scull crew of Syliva Page, Macy Cameron, Finlay Cameron, Lucy Roberts, Cox: Milly Howells finished first in their 2000m event in 8:27.77, seven seconds ahead of Fintona, Lauriston Girls and Kardinia International (2).  

Despite the crew’s best efforts, it was unable to hold onto the Kardinia International (2) who took gold, knocking a second off the THAC heat time. 

The crew finished off its Saturday racing with silver placing in the female school quad scull division two, 8:33.75. 

Stepping it up a notch, THAC male Under-19 quad scull against Trinity and Carey Grammar. 

From the outside of the course, THAC used the lake training skills to hold Grammar in second position with a first and final gold medal time of 7:27.70, two seconds ahead of grammar, with three Trinity crews taking out minor placings.  

Crew of Angus Stewart, Oliver Ferguson, Will Merrin, Ned Walker, Cox: Minnie Walker and coached by Josh Frichot continued their solid efforts during Saturday’s events with a first in the preliminary male school quad open division one event.  

Unable to hold momentum into the final, the crew finished the event with bronze placings.  

Further success for THAC during Sunday’s races included a first in the male C grade quad scull, comprising of Oliver Pern, Clyde Innes, Harry Dorahy, George McMullen, Cox: Adam Cameron and coached by Josh Frichot.  

Across a 1000m course, the young crew produced a quality time in tough conditions in itsr first and final, drawing from the middle, the male quad produced an early lead ahead of direct competition, Richmond and Ballarat and Clarendon. 

Ensuring their win with a time of 3:49.64, seven seconds ahead of Richmond and a further 30 seconds to Clarendon.  

Year 9 THAC rowers held their own against strong hometown competition from Damascus.  

After failing to start the preliminary, THAC Female Division 3 crew of Charlotte Butcher, Matilda Lu, Olivia Rees, Emma Donovan, Cox: Hariet Nichols and coach: Simon Ross, cruised into the finish line, 23 seconds ahead of Damascus.  

From the middle of the course, THAC Division 2 crew of Xarifa Christie-Hill, Ava Mould, Sophie Merrin, Su-Riann Kim, Cox: Molly Mecham and coach: Ross were unlucky with their approach to the line, crossing 0.47 seconds behind race winner, Kardinia International.  

Both crews will take experience from this, as they prepare for strong competition in the Year 9 quad sculls at Head of the Schoolgirls next month.  

With a successful last weekend in the Female Under-15 double scull, Harriet Nichols and Jemima Ross held true to form. 

Pushed to the line ahead of Barwons, Isabelle Brehaut and Aurora Shields finished in the same time as last weekend 4:29.48, holding the crew in good stead for the upcoming 2022 Rowing Victoria Junior Schoolgirls Regatta this weekend, in the lead up to the state championships. 

In other results

HAMILTON Rowing Club (HRC) members continued their ride to state championships with the male double collecting more silverware.  

Pushing the well-formed crew of Alan Clarence (HRC) and Nestles sculler, Aaron Skinner to the line, the duo held off Corio Bay in 4:07, further back to Phenoix and Barwon. 

Clarence continued his strong efforts in the Male Masters Single Scull collecting a bronze placing in the event. 

Hamilton Female contingent continued to gain experience in the quad scull.  

Eliza Millard, Ella Shelden, Leoma Bahntoff, Sienna Maddocks, Cox: Ruby Kent, producing personal best times in the B and C grade quad scull events.  

Debut in the single scull, Bahntoff in the six-crew race, finishing in fourth in a personal best time of 5:04.08.  

As we travel to the pointy end of the season, both Hamilton clubs will be training hard ahead of school regattas this weekend, Junior State Championships at the end of February, Senior State Champions first weekend of March and the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest regatta, Head of Schoolgirls on March starting March 18.