Rowing Victoria State Championships Regatta

On Saturday 10 March, the Senior Girls Squad competed at the Victorian State Championships held on the 2,000m Lake Wendouree Rowing course in Ballarat.

Both crews posted medal winning performances, continuing their great efforts so far this season. We are very much looking forward to seeing their continued progression through to the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta.

In the heat, the St Catherine’s 120 racing in the U21 VIII+, put down a strong performance winning their heat to progress to the A Final. The girls’ ability to keep their focus internal and drive their own rhythm was the key to their exciting performance. In the A Final, the girls had a rematch with their training partners, the Mercantile U21 VIII+. Despite leading the first half of the race, Mercantile were too strong in the back 1,000ms with the St Catherine’s 120 finishing with a very strong second place and earning the silver medal. Bronze was Melbourne University Boat Club, in front of MLC in fourth.

The Geraldine Ilott were racing in U19 VIII+ and had an eventful and challenging day. In brutal conditions, a gust of wind blew the boat over before their heat causing a capsize. However, the girls were able to get their boat back in action and make it to the start line for a smashing heat row, winning their heat to progress to the A Final. The resilience demonstrated by the crew was exceptional. All were cool and calm and able to concentrate on their best Rowing despite the eventful race warm up.

This is exactly what we are looking for out of our Senior Rowing crews. The energy used for this performance was not able to be regenerated in the Final however, with the crew placing fourth. As coaches we were very happy with the story of the heat as it’s a day we’ll remember and use as a good example of focus under stress, for crews in the future.

Students now head to Geelong for the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta this weekend. We are looking forward to them all enjoying their week, getting around each other and doing their best.

It’s been a fantastic season. Now lets GO ST CATHERINE’S!

 Senior Crews