Day 7 Results Summary - Sunday, 12 March 2000

The Victorians are victorous. In the culmination of what has been an exciting week of racing the Victorian King's Cup eight today held off the challenge from all of the states to win. Stroked by James Tomkins, from the Oarsome Foursome, with fellow member Mike McKay also in the boat, the Victorian eight rose to the occasion and in the last 500 metres sprinted to the finish line in an impressive display of experience and ability.

The ACT eight led for three quarters of the race with last years winners from Western Australia struggling, and bringing up the rear. In between, New South Wales held the lead momentarily before succumbing to the Victorians. It was a momentous occasion for the Victorians who also took out the Women's eight which was the race prior.

Brother and sister act Georgina Douglas and Robert Douglas were both members of the winning Victorian crews. Georgina Douglas had earlier also won the Nell Slatter Trophy in winning the Interstate women's single scull race.

Schoolboys First Eight
On display today was an example of the form which we will expect to see again in two weeks time as each State compete in their own Head of the River competitions.

St Joseph's College from Sydney today put in an impressive performance in leading the race from start to finish. They were challenged from St Peters College from Adelaide, in the last 500 metres, although they held on to cross the line in first place. It is the first time since 1973 that St Joseph's have won this event at an Australian National Championships. St Joseph's College are co-coached by Brian Payne and Rob Walker (Australian representative). Brian was pleased with today's race, though instilled the importance of maintaining the boys focus for a further two weeks.

Last years dominant school "Shore" who won all events at the Head of the River came third.

Schoolgirls First Eight
Pymble Ladies College coached by Jill Campbell again proved dominant in this event. They were comfortably out in front for much of the race and would have to go into the Head of the River as favourites.

Women's Interstate Single Scull
Victorian sculler Georgina Douglas was out to redeem herself in this event after coming second to Bronwyn Roye in the single scull earlier in the week. In opposite conditions today, a cross headwind, Douglas was able to sit back and control this race. Marina Hatzakis representing Queensland put down the challenge to Douglas though Douglas was comfortably enough out in front to hold onto her lead and win the event. Bronwyn Roye came third after an intensive week of racing in tough conditions. Roye commented that she was racing well until the thousand metre mark, when her tired body could do no more.

We will have to wait until April for the next showdown between these three competitive scullers.

Men's Interstate Single Scull
Lightweight sculler Hamish Karrasch from Queensland laid down the challenge to the heavyweights and lead this race from start to finish. Martin Inglis representing New South Wales put in an impressive fight to the end, though quick moving Karrasch was able to cross the line with the title. Karrasch this week was named in the Olympic team in the men's lightweight double scull, after winning the men's single scull National title and then combining with Bruce Hick to win the men's lightweight double scull yesterday.

Women's Lightweight Quad Scull
The crew from South Australia, with experienced sculler Sally Newmarch in three seat, dominated this event. The Victorians tried to give them a challenge, though the crew from Adelaide maintained their composure and went through to the finish line in front.

Men's Lightweight Four
The Tasmanian crew lead this race. Two recently named Olympians, Simon Burgess and Darren Balmforth led this crew to victory over a competitive Victorian crew. Fellow teammates to Burgess and Balmforth who were today announced as the Lightweight men's four to contend the title at the Olympics, Anthony Edwards and Rob Richards tried to lead their crew to a winning position. Unable to sustain the challenge the Tasmanians were victorous.

In a successful end to the Zurich 2000 Australian Rowing Championships, four crews were selected to represent Australia at the Sydney Olympics in September.

These were Lightweight men's double scull - Hamish Karrasch and Bruce Hick Lightweight men's four - Simon Burgess, Darren Balmforth, Anthony Edwards and Rob Richards Lightweight women's double scull - Sally Newmarch and Virginia Lee Women's heavyweight pair - Kate Slatter and Rachael Taylor

These crews will now have a few weeks off training before putting in place their preparations for the upcoming Olympics.

All other crews not yet selected, will race in the April selections to try and gain selection into the Australian team which will represent at the Olympics.

Michael Wilson and Heidi Little