SRC Dominant at Riverview Gold Cup – by Kendall Brodie

The famous dog-legged course of the Iron Cove River, which has lain host to the Riverview Gold Cup Regatta for 132 years, produced an abundance wins for Sydney Rowing Club, on 27 February. The strength across the entire club was evident with wins secured in every race entered.

The regatta, well known for its carnage and destruction due to the treacherous course defined by multiple pylons, a dog-leg turn – and, not to mention, the turbulent water. It comes as no surprise this event always boasts a foreshore chockfull of eager spectators.

Spirits were high on race day and with multiple SRC crews entered in each race; some healthy in-house competition proved to be a successful ingredient for our 100% success rate.

The development squad, coached by Jason Baker, locked in a first and second in the MB4+ which saw these young guns skilfully steered down the course by George Davis and Edoardo Wayland, beating out UTS and two Scots crews for the final placements.

SRC presented in every lane of the Women’s Invitational Single Scull with the win taken out by up-and-comer Georgia Bradley who overtook her more experienced team mates in the final stretch to finish convincingly.

The Men’s Invitational Single Scull again contained a full host of SRC athletes which saw Charlie Patterson secure a near 10 second win. An honourable mention must go to Dylan Boakes, who despite capsizing on the rugged course, managed to get back into the boat and regain momentum to finish the race.

The men’s scullers backed up for a second race boating two MB 4X where SRC finished first and third, UNSW in second and Sydney Uni in fourth. The women’s scullers also had a second hit out in the WB 4X, securing a 10 second win over UTS and Leichhardt. With the high turn around in races, Lachlan Carter, coach of the scullers, had his work cut out for him on the  day. It was great to see so many clubs attending the regatta on such a challenging course, especially in coxless boats!

In arguably the most highly anticipated race of the day, SRC’s Men’s Open 8+ contained five of last year’s victorious crew; Ed White, Josh Hicks, Scott Woodward, Matt Dignan and coxswain Kendall Brodie were joined by Simon Keenan, James Chapman, Nathan Bowden and – stepping up from the development squad – Hamish McDonald.

Fresh off the back of national selection trials, our men had more than just a title to defend. Sydney won the heat easily over Scots and Shore however, posted the third fastest time behind UTS and Sydney Uni from Heat 2. It was clear the final would be a hard fought battle.

Despite the relative strength of the other club crews, each holding multiple National squad members, Sydney remained confident they still had more gears left for the final. After an uplifting speech from Coach Donovan Cech, the fire was ablaze and the boys’ inspired to back up with a consecutive Gold Cup title.

Qualifying times put SRC on the outside of the turn in lane 3 – that didn’t stop them last year and it wasn’t going to stop them this year. Stroke Josh Hicks set up a flying rate right off the start, the crew following – knowing this 1400m race would be a sprint to the finish.

SRC lead the race from start to finish, taking a tight corner and powering down the final straight at an ever increasing rate. There was no question who was going to cross the line first. The margins resulted in a 3 second lead over Sydney Uni and an 8 second haul over UTS. Each SRC crew member savouring a sweet consecutive Gold Cup title and a precious golden oar.