Masters make medals at Championships – by Kirsten Liljekvist
SRC shone in glorious conditions, with a medal haul of 7 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze at last weekend’s State Masters Championships at SIRC.
Steve Handley’s Legends were first to race in a trial to gain representation for the state team at the Master’s Nationals in June. Conditions were perfect and the racing swift, the Mosman crew, containing a recent Olympian in Dan Noonan had to row the course in under 3 minutes to claim the right to represent NSW, they did this in a time of 2:59.86 with SRC close behind in 3:01.70.
Hugh McLeod made the trip down from his new domicile of Taree to compete once again in the light blue with Gavin Parcsi he did so admirably, claiming silver in the B4- and gold in the B4x. Hugh was a member of composite crews that made the dais in the C4x (silver) and D4x (silver). Hugh has ages 27 – 50 covered in the quad.
It turned out to be an expensive trip for Macca, who posted a cry for help from the M4 on his way to Penrith, with two singles atop his car, the Police pulled him over for overhang and there he had to wait to be rescued by a Trailer. Despite some friendly legal advice from Liam James, a hefty fine ensued, together with the loss of valuable demerit points.
Gavin Parcsi also paired up with Michael Hart from UNSW and had some great results taking a medal in the AB2- and AB2x.
Dorothy De George and Kaye Smythe were back to their winning ways taking out the H2x. Despite family wedding preparations distracting Kaye from her usual intense preparation and training, she still managed a dais finish in the G1x. Dorothy and Kaye later teamed up with Deb Church and Noni Martin to claim the silver in the G4x. Noni and Deb winning silver in the F2x.
Ken Ambler, Rick Martin, Carl Quitzau and Geoff Raymond took the silver in the F4x. Ken and Charles Lloyd Jones came together with a couple of Glebe rowers to win silver in the E4-. Charles also took a Bronze along with Martin Little in the E2-. Ken bagged silver in the G1x.
A new SRC combination of JA Brighton, Donna Chan, Helen Bremner and Jo-Anne Armstrong had a good hit out to qualify for the final in the WC4x.
Disaster struck The Legends who collided with a wayward 2- whilst warming up on the back lake for the D8+. This resulted in a return to shore for speedy repairs. Boat Race Officials held up racing whilst repairs were effected. Safely back on the water this crack crew managed regained their composure to win the D8 race.
Back on land, half the crew was changed for the E8+ result – GOLD. The crew divided by two again to contest the D4- result – GOLD and BRONZE, break it down once more for a D2- GOLD. The mercurial, Roger Brighton was in each of the Gold medal winning boats.
Husband and wife team Rick and Noni Martin teamed up with Ken Ambler and Deb Church to win the mixed D-F 4x. Rick and Noni went on to win in the D-F2x.
Your author was lucky, on the back of little training due to injury, I stepped into a C8+ with only one chance of glory, this being my only race of the championships. Glory hurts. GOLD makes it worth it!
Wishing the master’s team every success at Nationals in Queensland.