Melbourne University Sport -

Uni Rowers help Big V triumph ... again
12/03/07
By Thomas Nickson

Victoria has reaffirmed itself as the dominant force in Australian rowing, after emphatic victories at the weekend’s King’s Cup and Interstate Regatta at Nagambie Lakes. Despite blustery cross-headwind conditions, Victoria was crowned champions in four of the eight interstate events.

In the feature King’s Cup Interstate Men’s Eight, Victoria were never headed, powering their way to a dominant clear water victory ahead of NSW and Western Australia. MUBC members Christian Ryan, Nick Phelps, Jason Heard, James Marburg, Cameron McKenzie-McHarg, Karsten Forsterling and cox Marc Douez formed the backbone of the Victorian crew that also featured Olympic Pair champions Drew Ginn and James Tomkins.

For the third year running, the Victorian women claimed victory in the Queen’s Cup Eight, showing the field a clean set of blades. Enduring the worst of the conditions in the exposed lane one, the crew combined precision and brute power to finish well clear of NSW and Western Australia. MUBC’s Kim Crow, Catriona Sens, Sarah Heard, Phoebe Stanley and Lizzie Patrick, current Melbourne University student Fleur Chew, and alumni Robyn Selby-Smith, were all members of this polished outfit.

The Women’s Youth Eight also rose above the challenge of lane one to win their interstate event. Most encouraging for MUBC’s future, this crew was almost entirely a club combination. Comprising Ali Crowe, Jessie Smith, Grace Hicks, Courtney Adamson, Claire Bowtell, Steph Madner, Jen Bailey, cox Nikki Hirst and Melbourne undergraduate Sarah Hawe (Melbourne Rowing Club), the crew claimed the title for the third successive year. On an individual note, both Hawe and Hirst have been members of the crew for all three of these wins.

Earlier in the program, University alumni David Crawshay took out the President’s Cup for the Interstate Men’s Single Scull. This was Crawshay’s first victory in the event, capping a successful week’s racing which also saw him claim victory in the National Championships Single and Double Sculls.

Alice McNamara was MUBC’s other interstate medalist, stroked the Victorian Women’s Lightweight Quad Scull to a silver medal. The Victorians succumbing to the powerful South Australian combination that included 2006 World Championship silver medalists Marguerite Houston and Amber Halliday.

Other MUBC representatives in Victorian crews included Simon Booth, James Adams, Benedict Quinlan, Tom Mosley, Angus Tyers, Will Lockwood and David Webster in the Men’s Youth Eight that placed fourth, and Peter Kupcis who held down the three seat of the Men’s Lightweight Four that placed fifth. Meanwhile, the club’s Ben Sprenger and Mack Wilcox represented Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory respectively, in the King’s Cup.


Home Membership Facilities Group Fitness Health Services Clubs Sport and Recreation Ski Lodge About Us Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Uni Rowers help Big V triumph ... again 12/03/07 By Thomas Nickson Victoria has reaffirmed itself as the dominant force in Australian rowing, after emphatic victories at the weekend’s King’s Cup and Interstate Regatta at Nagambie Lakes. Despite blustery cross-headwind conditions, Victoria was crowned champions in four of the eight interstate events. In the feature King’s Cup Interstate Men’s Eight, Victoria were never headed, powering their way to a dominant clear water victory ahead of NSW and Western Australia. MUBC members Christian Ryan, Nick Phelps, Jason Heard, James Marburg, Cameron McKenzie-McHarg, Karsten Forsterling and cox Marc Douez formed the backbone of the Victorian crew that also featured Olympic Pair champions Drew Ginn and James Tomkins. For the third year running, the Victorian women claimed victory in the Queen’s Cup Eight, showing the field a clean set of blades. Enduring the worst of the conditions in the exposed lane one, the crew combined precision and brute power to finish well clear of NSW and Western Australia. MUBC’s Kim Crow, Catriona Sens, Sarah Heard, Phoebe Stanley and Lizzie Patrick, current Melbourne University student Fleur Chew, and alumni Robyn Selby-Smith, were all members of this polished outfit. The Women’s Youth Eight also rose above the challenge of lane one to win their interstate event. Most encouraging for MUBC’s future, this crew was almost entirely a club combination. Comprising Ali Crowe, Jessie Smith, Grace Hicks, Courtney Adamson, Claire Bowtell, Steph Madner, Jen Bailey, cox Nikki Hirst and Melbourne undergraduate Sarah Hawe (Melbourne Rowing Club), the crew claimed the title for the third successive year. On an individual note, both Hawe and Hirst have been members of the crew for all three of these wins. Earlier in the program, University alumni David Crawshay took out the President’s Cup for the Interstate Men’s Single Scull. This was Crawshay’s first victory in the event, capping a successful week’s racing which also saw him claim victory in the National Championships Single and Double Sculls. Alice McNamara was MUBC’s other interstate medalist, stroked the Victorian Women’s Lightweight Quad Scull to a silver medal. The Victorians succumbing to the powerful South Australian combination that included 2006 World Championship silver medalists Marguerite Houston and Amber Halliday. Other MUBC representatives in Victorian crews included Simon Booth, James Adams, Benedict Quinlan, Tom Mosley, Angus Tyers, Will Lockwood and David Webster in the Men’s Youth Eight that placed fourth, and Peter Kupcis who held down the three seat of the Men’s Lightweight Four that placed fifth. Meanwhile, the club’s Ben Sprenger and Mack Wilcox represented Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory respectively, in the King’s Cup.