Spectators are set for tremendous King’s Cup showdown after the lane draw was made this afternoon at the 2009 Hydro Tasmania Australian Rowing Championships.
The three favourites for the King’s Cup, Victoria (Lane 3), South Australia (4) and New South Wales (5) have been drawn in adjoining lanes which will only make the race more intriguing.
South Australia, who last won the event in 1983, is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the South Australian Rowing Association and has had their crew in training for over 5 months in an attempt to wrestle the trophy away from the dominant force of Victoria.
Since 1990 Victoria has won 15 King’s Cup titles, while New South Wales is the defending champion after a 0.22 second triumph in 2008, a victory that does not sit well with their southern neighbours.
Victorian team captain, David Crawshay, says he expects a close race this year.
“A loss in the King’s Cup always stings but this year’s crew is pretty determined to bounce back and set the record straight,” Crawshay said. “It is always a really tough race with New South Wales, and I think South Australia and Western Australia could surprise a few people this year.”
The Interstate Regatta, which serves as the conclusion of the Australian Rowing Championships, features eight races across a number of boat classes and is considered the “State of Origin” of Australian rowing.
Sally Kehoe (QLD) will enter the women’s single scull (Nell Slatter Trophy) as favourite after claiming the national championship earlier in the week. Kehoe can expect to face strong competition from Sarah Cook (ACT) and Anna McRae (SA), as well as Kim Crow (VIC). Crow was unable to compete due to injury this week but has returned in time for the Interstate Regatta.
The men’ single scull promises to be another exciting affair as a number of top range athletes battle it out for the President’s Cup. Victorian David Crawshay, who will also line up in the King’s Cup later in the day, will look to win the event for the second time after also claiming victory in 2007. Jeremy Stevenson (WA) will push Crawshay all the way, while Taylor Wilczynski (TAS), Jared Bidwell (QLD) and Danjels Reedman (NSW) are all possibilities for third place.
Tasmania will enter the women’s lightweight quad scull race as the crew to beat with Carly Cottam, Ingrid Fenger, Emily Grant and Ella Flecker forming a formidable combination. South Australia, who have dominated the Victoria Cup for a number of years, will be in the running for a minor medal, along with New South Wales and Queensland.
The Penrith Cup, awarded to winner of the men’s lightweight coxless four, is expected to be a two horse race between Tasmania and Western Australia. The two states have shared the trophy since 1999 and Tasmania will enter the 2009 edition as slight favourites. They will be represented by Nick Baker, Shaun Finlayson, Blair Tunevitsch and Dion Birtwhistle, while the West Australian crew consists of Perry Ward, Tom Nicholls, Ross Brown and Todd Skipworth.
The men’s and women’s youth eights feature as the 5th and 6th events on the Interstate program. Queensland’s women will be aiming to defend the Bicentenary Cup, while Victoria can expect a strong challenge from New South Wales in the men’s Noel F. Wilkinson Trophy.
Victoria will also enter the Queen’s Cup for the open women’s eight as overwhelming favourites. They won the event last year by over six lengths, and despite having a new look crew should add a ninth title to their collection.
The Interstate Regatta will commence at 11.05am and will conclude with the running of the King’s Cup at 1.15pm.
For more information please call David Polglase on 0408 056 914.
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