Category: Regatta Updates

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2022 State Championships: Ballarat

We sent 32 athletes rowing in 21 events achieving 7 first, 3 second, and 2 third place finishes.

Results

first
FO2x/ K. Dyball, M. Joy 8:15.45
FClub4x/ Z. Maxwell, K. Doggett, M. Joy, K. Dyball 7:57.52
MC8+/ K.Wong, L.Mckee, A.Pupko, T.Gruner, R.Healy, A.Reid, C.Moechyi, R.Skelton, Cox: P.Tran 3:38.89
FB4x+/ C.Crouser, K.Fergie, H.Pearce, G.Goss, Cox: M.Joy 4:11.96
FC2x/ J.Huang, W.Emptage 4:41.41
MB8+/ P.Oborin, J.Hellerstedt, J.Roberts, M.Gehling, I.Balemi, B.Wardle, J.Carey, A.Randall, Cox: D.Begg 3:28.11
FA4x+/ Z.Maxwell, K.Doggett, M.Joy, K.Dyball, Cox: C.Crouser 4:05.14

second
MB4+/ J.Roberts, A.Randall, J.Carey, D.Beck, Cox: D.Begg 3:59.87
MC4x+/ R.Skelton, L.Mckee, A.Pupko, R.Healy, Cox: K.Howard 4:16.18
FC1x/ J. Huang 4:30.7

third
MC1x/ K. Wong 4:52.14
FB2x/ H. Pearce, K. Fergie 4:31.04

Thanks for Captain Kim’s calm management of the trailer loading & towing, as well as Amy C.’s BROing on Sunday & intimidatingly fresh ‘gram game at the finish line.

Some thoughts from Sunday:

Cold, windy, constant threat of rain

8am
Arrive to find out they’ve already cancelled the master’s qualifying races, conditions on the lake that make you want to get back in the car and drive home.

Get the boats down nevertheless.

9am/ 1050am
MB2x was a smart row in the heat but couldn’t put it together in the final.

The feeling of trailer inadequacy when walking by the six burner dedicated flattop camp kitchen pumping out eggs&bacon. Vow to investigate turning the RRC trailer into a lifestyle road train.

Decent dirty burger from the caravan but not enough colour on the chips.

MC8+ set the stage by nearly getting open water on Hawthorn with a decisive 7s victory.

1354
MB8+ rowed like it trained. Perfect heterogeneous mix of nervous energy and calm execution of familiar patterns. Fast, brutal start to stay with the schoolboys and then hold on and lay down power to pull away and keep pulling away for a first by five seconds over Gippsland Grammar.

1514
Quick turnaround to the MB4x+ heat, staying smart and third in the cluster to get into what was looking to be an extremely fast final.

1630
No one coming off the water in small boats had anything fun to report, and tents were starting to turn into tumbleweeds.

The ominous “racing paused for 30 minutes” followed through with the cancellation of the remainder of the regatta.

Decent amount of podium potential unrowed for Richmond.

1900 boats washed and back in the shed in 69 minutes. JH, PO, GG, KD, MJ, KB, IB, JC, AH

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2022 Henley Regatta

It was a perfect day to amble down to the shed for some hard-fought racing at this year’s Henley on the Yarra.

It was truly a team effort, with the first Richmond eight forcing Yarra Yarra down the course with a 2.3s margin so the second eight could fend them off to get to the final with a comfortable 6s margin.

Haileybury had more in the tank coming under Swan street, staying ahead to win the MB8+ final by 2s.

With 22 entries in the MB4x+, it was a time trial mental game for the two RRC crews with 5th and 7th place finishes, missing that that 4th place cutoff into the semi’s by an aching 0.35 seconds.

Our crews on the day:
MB8+
A.Randall, W.Golding, B.Wardle, I.Balemi, M.Gehling, J.Roberts, J.Hellerstedt, P.Oborin, Cox: D.Begg
K.Wong, L.Mckee, A.Pupko, T.Gruner, R.Healy, R.Skelton, C.Moechyi, D.Beck, Cox: K.Howard
MB4x+
P.Oborin, J.Hellerstedt, M.Gehling, D.Beck, Cox: D.Begg
A.Pupko, T.Gruner, I.Balemi, B.Wardle, Cox: K.Howard

Ray Dennis broke new ground in his Banks/RRC composite K-grade eight averaging 84.4 years winning the MM8+ by a healthy 9.8s margin.

Particular thanks to Alex Kinsman for volunteering to support the regatta event on behalf of RRC.

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2022 Nagambie Regatta

Nagambie was hot, dusty & sunny, with a peak temperature of 34 on the day, reinforced by the interminably long lunch break before the last gasp of racing Sunday arvo.

So glad to see the homemade brownies & relish at the Ezy Oar cafe, with burgers clearly the crowd favourite being completely sold out by 1pm.

We sent 32 athletes to row 22 events, with 8 first, 5 second, and 3 third place finishes.

Results

This was the inaugural racing (rowing!) in the newly acquired Kathy Macrow 4/x+, thanks to Lily I-I for the emergency field christening prosecco.

Race of the regatta?

Men’s B quad a candidate, battle paddling Barwon inside of 2 metres all the way down the course. Barwon were quite annoyed to be beaten by a canvas by not only RRC in first but a ‘fast finishing’ 14yo crew from Gippsland Grammar in second, looking at RRC the other side of the line with a “how old do you think we are?”: unclear who envied whom for what while coughing up a lung at the finish line. Look out States!!

Thanks Alex Reid for stepping up to BRO in the afternoon.

Barry closed his eyes and compass navigated the trailer on backroads back to the shed. Unloaded before 1945.

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2022 Wendouree Ballarat regatta

6/2/2022 Sunday saw some classic Wendouree conditions, wind like a hammer coming out of the reeds giving way to comically glassy water in the arvo.

26 athletes rowing 23 events, 7 firsts, 4 second, 2 third place finishes.

Saturday Club results

Sunday results

Thanks to Sue-Virginia for driving up and holding down the RRC BRO, and the course map pictures from inside the BRO nerve centre.

Kim B for the surprise trip to Footscray to park the trailer, the drive everyone wants to do late Sunday night after a long day of racing.

Unloaded & re-sectioned the two eights in 90 minutes.

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2022 Rutherglen regatta

We sent a tight contingent of 14 athletes to the 156th annual Rutherglen regatta on Lake Moodemere. Great to be back up to the border after being locked away behind the ring of steel for so long.

The lamb shanks were the clear winner on Friday at the Telegraph Hotel Chiltern, and it was great to see Caffeine n Machine slinging ‘spro before 630am on the Sunday for the sunrise racing!

With spectacularly intense thunderstorms late Friday night, we were glad to see our late arriving rowers make the drive up safely. Over the weekend the lake was absolutely full, and it was a far cry from the dust bowl of yesteryear, with persistent mud at the trailers showing no sign of drying out at the end of the weekend despite the 30+ peak temperatures each day.

Alex Huang and Wan-ling Emptage heading out for their doubles race Saturday

Results

We amassed 7 first, 4 second, 8 third place finishes with that Rutherglen famous lack of repêchage.

Saturday 800m results

first place
MC1x / Michael Gehling
MC4x+ / Hellerstedt, Gehling, Wardle, Beck, cox: Emptage
FM4x+ / Dudczig, Fergie, Pearce, Goss, cox: Huang
FM2x / Fergie, Pearce

second
MC8+ / Begelhole, Hellerstedt, Reid, Pupko, Gehling, Wardle, Randall, Beck, cox: Dudczig
FM4+ / Richardson (Ess), Fergie, Pearce, Goss, cox: Emptage

third
FM1x / Gerry Goss
MM8+ (of 3) / Begelhole, Gordon, Reid, Hellerstedt, Mansfield (Yarawonga), Randall, Beck, cox: Dudczig
FM2x / Dudczig, Goss

Sunday 500m results

first
FM4x+ / Dudczig, Fergie, Pearce, Goss, cox: Hellerstedt
FM2x / Goss, Dudczig & Fergie, Pearce

second
MC1x / Hellerstedt
MC4x+ DQ / Hellerstedt, Gehling, Wardle, Beck, cox: Huang

third
MC8+ / Begelhole, Hellerstedt, Reid, Pupko, Gehling, Wardle, Randall, Beck, cox: Dudczig
FC2x / Emptage, Huang
FC1x / Alex Huang
X4x+ / Pearce, Gehling, Pupko, Fergie, cox: Hellerstedt
MB4x+ / Hellerstedt, Pupko, Wardle, Beck, cox: Emptage

the men’s eight

Big thanks to Stef Dudczig, Wan-ling Emptage & Alex Huang for the lionshare of box-free coxing! Jack Hellerstedt for some Sunday finals, and Benton Goodbrand of Argonauts, as well as friends at Essendon & Footscray RC for getting our crews down the course and around the bend.

Michael Gehling was the Richmond BRO of the regatta

Boat unloading was poetry in motion, done and dusted in 59m50s
KB, AR, BW, KF, HP, AR, SD, JH

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2021 Melbourne Head Regatta

Melbourne’s rowing community emerged from lockdown for the Melbourne Head Regatta on the Yarra for Melbourne Head on Nov. 20.

Men’s club 4x+ headed up to the start. Photo: Richie Healy

Richmond had 32 rowers competing in 8 events, starting this post-lockdown season with a strong showing of four 3rd, two 2nd, and a 1st place finish in the women’s masters 1x.

It was a cool overcast day for racing, with the sun coming out to make for perfect bbq weather on the balcony following the racing, where we celebrated the AIRC indoors champs in person!

Congratulations to all our competing crews:

Gerry Goss in the MUBC composite masters 8 (1st, 13:54.34)

Men’s club 8/ 4th place, 12:27.71
Cox: Derek Begg
Dennis Beck
Jon Roberts
John Carey
Alex Pupko
Keith Wong
Leigh McKee
Alex Reid
Kim Begelhole

Women’s club 8/ 3rd place, 12:27.01
Cox: Mike Numa
Kate Dyball
Karen Doggett
Chelsea Crouser
Kirsty Fergie
Lily Innes-Irons
Zoe Maxwell
Michelle Joy
Alex Huang

Women’s masters 4x+/ 3rd place, 14:23.59
Cox: Deb Spring
Sarah Houghton
Sarah Hardy
Christine Sullivan
Shern Timmins

Men’s club 4x+/ 2nd place, 12:37.7
Cox: Kathy Macrow
Pavel Oborin
Michael Gehling
Ben Wardle
Jack Hellerstedt

Women’s open 2x/ 3rd place, 14:19.63
Kirsty Fergie
Helen Pearce

Men’s masters 2x/ 2nd place, 13:56.77
Phil Munson
Leigh Sullivan

Women’s club 1x
Chelsea Crouser/ 3rd place, 15:56.42
Alex Huang/ 4th place, 16:19.48

Women’s masters 1x/ 1st place, 16:18.46
Gerry Goss

Fastest time down the course was the MUBC/ UTS men’s open 8 with 9:47.15

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2021 Victoria “eights challenge”

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

We made the HoTY ‘gram.

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.

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2021 Australian Indoor Rowing Championships

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.

Gerry
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Good luck to our rowers competing at the National Championships

Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball, coached by Dario Sportelli, will be representing Richmond at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington in the Club Women’s Double Scull. Following a very successful Victorian State Championships campaign, we wish them the best of luck competing against Australia’s best crews in Tasmania.

There will be a live stream of the races accessible via the RV website with Michelle and Kate competing on Thursday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Hopefully everyone is able to get online and watch them do the club proud.

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Victorian States Championships 2021

At the end of February the club headed to Nagambie with high hopes of a success and States taking place this year, one year on from a blown out States at Ballarat and a pandemic disrupted season.

There was a fantastic turn out of rowers at all levels from people competing the 2km course at open, a and b grade and the very competitive c and d grade events over 1km.

It’s fair to say that Richmond had amazing success with 9 Golds, 3 Silver and 6 third places which saw us come 5th overall in the medal table. Congratulations to all involved, athletes, coxswains, coaches and supporters.

A full list of medals is included below

Gold

FB2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

FB2X    Kate Dyball, Zoe Maxwell

FC2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

FD1X    Lily Innes-Irons

FD2-     Alex Kinsman, Lily Innes-Irons

FD4+    Alex Huang, Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser (cox), Frederique Le Bescond, Melanie Perkins

FD4X+ Alex Huang, Frederique Le Bescond, Kathryn Spinnler-Jenkins, Sarah Houghton (cox), Victoria Petersen

FO2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

MD8+   Ethan Lovett, Jack Austin, Jack Hellerstedt, Ka Ki Wong (cox), Kim Begelhole, Leigh Mckee, Matthew Lowe, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy

Silver

FA2X    Kate Dyball, Michelle Joy

FD2X    Alex Huang, Victoria Petersen

MD4X+ Derek Begg/Zoe Kral (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Michael Gehling, Richard Healy

Bronze

FA1X    Kate Dyball

FA4+    Chelsea Crouser, Derek Begg (cox), Melanie Perkins, Michelle Joy, Xanthe Hadfield

FD8+    Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser, Dana Hill, Frederique Le Bescond, Kirsty Fergie, Lily Innes-Irons, Melanie Perkins, Will Golding (cox), Zoe Maxwell

FO2X    Kate Dyball, Michelle Joy

FO4X-  Karen Doggett, Melanie Perkins, Michelle Joy, Zoe Maxwell

MD4+   Derek Begg (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy

Thank you to John Carey and Jack Hellerstadt for their take on the weekend

Thursday boat loading

One last on-water session for the MD4x’s, some great race-pace action between the MD4x and MC4+ before finishing up the loading spearheaded by most of the women’s squad.

Friday

A day of rest, hydration and meandering gazes towards any stretch of water. Deep inflections of what it will take to win at Nagambie, which crews will we face up against and will I get an egg & bacon roll or venture towards the McGambie. 

Saturday

See Friday…..

Sunday

Perfect weather, pretty hot and rising already from quiet early.  No clouds no wind. Foxhole cafe just SW of the water tower is a must-stop on the way to the course. Offers a tiny slice of the Irish-Aussie experience, with the owner hailing from Monaghan.

Cheer squad extraordinaire featuring: Amy Catlin, Lachie Stewart, Charlotte North-Coombes, Shern Timmins, Roberts parentals and Basil (the dog, not our wonderful London-based former coach).

MD4+ Jack H/Ethan/Rich/Pavel/Derek was a four boat final with the school-boys taking it off the line from the start. Edged out Carrum to just make it onto the podium.

Egg & bacon eat your heart out. This year’s BBQ featured a top-shelf gourmet snag on the menu, beef or lamb, would love to see this appear as a regular event.

RRC MD4x+ were split across the two heats, hard fought for Matt/ Jack A/ Leigh/ Kim/ Christine (?) just missing the cut by 7 seconds.  Jack H/ Ethan/ Rich/ Mikey G with Banks guest coxswain Zoë Kral stayed on Melbourne for a comfortable second place ticket to the final.

RRC MC4+ Denis/John C/Liam/Jon R with Derek (cox) left in the dust by Ballarat Clarendon who stormed home in a blitz of backsplash, completing the 1,000m course in 3.02 minutes. The lads were happy with their own performance, coming 5th in a time of 3.23 minutes. 

The much anticipated M/F D8+ tête-à-tête had it all: yellow card for unlawful entry to the course, mid-flight cable repair to save Keith from having to race boxless, and the year-ten Carey Grammar crew first down the course by a comfortable 6 second margin to remind us that two coxed quads does not-quite make an eight.

Derek stepped back in for the MD4x+ final. It was anyone’s race for the first 500 with RRC trading in some grace for power at the start to stay in it, but Melbourne dug deep and couldn’t be caught. Satisfying second after seeing the late arvo heat catch up with Melbourne three-seat on the way back in.

Monday boat unloading

A largely uneventful affair with almost 2 trailer-loads of boats being unloaded in 56 minutes and 55 seconds.

Summary

33 athletes, 18 medals from 36 events, 9 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze.

5th in the overall medal table; just behind Uni Melb! Massive effort- go Richmond!

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