Shot down to the gym and jumped on the treadmill in time to see the final of the Men’s club 4+; unfortunately on the terrace, there was no sound…
Men’s club 4+: was some good racing, considering a little chop on the water. Waikato placed 1st, Nelson 2nd and Cure 3rd. Waikato clocked in at 6:31 which I think is a good time for these boats at this level, considering the conditions.
Men’s premier pair: was just as good as I imagined, RPC South (Bond and Meyer) and Waikato RPC (Dallinger and Murray) got in front of the race quickly… Nelson (Orsbourn and Harris) went out with them, with Auckland RPC (Hellstrom and Twaddle) sitting at the back of the field, looking rather relaxed for the 1st 1000m. It looked like Bond and Meyer started to pull away after the 1000m, but not really getting clear water till the last 500m. In the third 500, Hellstrom and Twaddle pulled well ahead of Nelson and took chase on the leaders.
In the last 500m RPC south continued to pull away from Waikato and Auckland, with Auckland coming up on Waikato. It looked like Auckland had left their run a little late.
RPC South 1st, Waikato 2nd, Auckland 3rd. Meyer and Bond’s time of 6:22.84 is a very good time for these boats, with the World Record around 6:15 - perhaps there was a tail wind?
The last race I watch this morning was the Women’s lightweight single: which appeared to be absolutely dominated by Sarah Alexander, rowing for Hawkes Bay and Auckland RPC. She won with a 5 second lead, but I suspect she may have gained that lead in the first 500m! Her crew mate in the lightweight double, Julia Trautvetter, also for Hawkes Bay and Auckland RPC, placed second. And Lucy Strack from my old club North End, placed third.
Next up on my list is the Senior Men’s and Women’s pairs, events 14 and 15 at 1:20pm and 135pm today..
