2021-11-27 was the Victoria “eights challenge” to replace the Head of the Yarra this year as Melbourne & Australia emerge from covid restrictions. It was very fast racing conditions with high tide, fast water, and a strong tailwind down the course from Powerhouse to the Judges box. A blustery, sunny day for racing.
Testosterone was running high in the pileup of long boats in the narrow above Big Bend getting the 60’s bow numbers sorted from the 40’s.
It was the last of the D grade eight racing with the new Rowing Victoria grade change. The powerwashing happening at the front of MRC’s renovation was a lowlight, Kathy doling out gummy worms after the race was definitely a highlight.
Three Richmond eights after the race. Photo: Will Golding
Richmond vs. Richmond in the MD8+:
Men’s D8+ coxed by Derek Begg. Photo: Steve Sheppard
Cox: Derek Begg Jack Hellerstedt Pavel Oborin Ben Wardle John Carey Michael Gehling Jon Roberts Allan Randall Kim Begelhole First place, 11:23.29
Men’s D8+ coxed by Kathy Macrow. Photo: Steve Sheppard
Cox: Kathy Macrow Dennis Beck Leigh McKee Alex Pupko Tim Gruner Richie Healy Ryan Simmons Keith Wong Redmond Skelton Second place, 12:15.06
Women’s C8+
Women’s C8+ coxed by Mike Numa. Photo: Steve Sheppard
Cox: Mike Numa Kate Dyball Karen Doggett Chelsea Crouser Kirsty Fergie Lily Innes-Irons Zoe Maxwell Michelle Joy Alex Huang 3rd place, 11:42.5
John Carey getting his D-grade medal from coxswain Derek Begg. Photo: Will Golding
Richmond were also represented in the masters, with Ray Dennis rowing with Banks in the MMI+ (1st place, 15:08.85) and our own president Gerry Goss rowing in a multi -club composite in the FMF+ (1st place, 13:33.7).
The fastest time down the course was the men’s open eight Mercs/ Sydney composite with a blistering 9:15.32 aided by a pair of ex-Olympians in 7&8.
It was a perfect sunny day on the 12th for our club races followed by Christmas lunch. After a morning training session our Head of Rowing, Christine, published the crews for club races and it was game on! Four crews eight fought out the heats, followed by a final. Afterwards members and friends dined in the club decorated with the famous black and yellow Christmas tree…followed by drinks on our fabulous deck in the sunshine.
2021 December club races
the winning crew(s)
The winning crew of the day: cox: Derek Keith John C Michael G Alex P Jack H Millie Anthea Kerrin/ Chelsea
Big thanks to Stu & Alex for running the races from the bank! And Amy for organising lunch afterwards, as well as the bar staff volunteering from Karen, Christine, Kathy, John C, and Barry!
Richmond fielded 13 men & 6 women competing in 34 races across 14 different age & distance categories in the AIRC championship held on 30 October 2021.
Celebrating our AIRC winners on the balcony after the Melbourne Head regatta
Congratulations to our medallists:
Gold
Teoni Jugg, WL 30-39 2km Chelsea Crouser, WL 19-29 1km Will Golding, ML 19-29 1km Teoni Jugg, WL 30-39 1km
Silver
Chelsea Crouser, WL 19-29 2km Will Golding, ML 19-29 2km Gerry Goss, W 55-59 1k Alex Huang, WL 19-29 1km Golding/ Wardle/ Gehling/ Carey, M 20-39 2km relay Fergie/ Crouser/ Kinsman/ Huang, W 20-39 2km relay
Bronze
Alex Huang, WL 19-29 2km Pavel Oborin, ML 30-39 1km Chelsea Crouser, WL 19-29 500m Gerry Goss, W 55-59 500m
Honorable mentions:
The ‘Presidents’ mixed relay team came in third on the day, only to be relegated to fourth when late results came in.
“zoom erg” session with coaches Will Golding and Dario Sportelli
Thoughts from the day:
Following the dramatic storms, no power and no internet my day started a lot less smoothly than I would have liked. However once on the erg, sat in my spare room, zoom squad cheering and my playlist on, I was ready for the day of racing. Despite not hitting any PBs it was a great way to round off some intense lockdown training and a celebration of all things erg before being able to get back into what we do best, on water training.
Kirsty F.
Pavel Oberin receiving his bronze AIRC medal from Kathy Macrow
Highlights were definitely the mortadella/ stracciatella/ giardiniera sandwich from Bread Club between the 2k and 1k, and chatting with Amy on an inbound train dialing in to zoom to see the flattering erging faces. Staying within a couple strokes of fellow skinny ergo Pavel for the 1k & 500m made those races a lot more fun. Absolutely hit a wall and couldn’t stand anymore after 5pm, very satisfying way to finish off the ergsclusive lockdown no. 6.
Jack H.
I had big plans ahead of this event! After arriving back in the country 3 weeks before raceday, I expected that a rental erg, plus 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine should put me on track for some good results. Covid had other ideas, with a positive test result landing me in a special care hotel with a sore head and without access to any exercise equipment! 2 weeks later, I was released after a negative result and began ramping up my training for the final week. (What is taper anyway?!) Race day arrived and I felt pretty good all things considered. Luckily, I was only doing the 500 and the 1k. Managed to hit both with PBs and looking forward to next year, when I hope my prep will be better!
Phil Saxena
It was very strange to be competing in a national competition from the bottom of my back yard! I wasn’t sure that the internet signal would support both the erg and a zoom, and even less sure anyone would want to see me cranking out an erg, but it was great to know that people were following the races! My secret erg playlist for competition is just two songs: Start me up by the Rolling Stones and Don’t stop me now by Queen. And Archie the wonder dog lay on the outdoor lounge and slept through the whole thing.
