Shepparton Rowing Club’s Jack Puise is proving to be unbeatable on the water.
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The rising star left his opponents in his wake after finishing 22 seconds clear of his closest rival in the under-17 single scull at the Nagambie Regatta at the weekend.
This was Puise’s first time in the 2000m event and he is in with a good chance for the gold at the State Championships in three weeks on the same course at Nagambie.
Coach John Darbyshire said he was proud of how quickly Puise had progressed in such a short time of competing in the sport.
‘‘Success shows in the results of the determination and effort Puise puts in with his training on and off the water while maintaining his fitness and mental focus,’’ Darbyshire said.
‘‘Shepparton had some good wins, but was unlucky this weekend in some events not getting the results the club has been able to achieve already this season, and work will need to be done to improve the times to keep up with the other clubs.’’
Toolamba’s Lydia Todd had an amazing start in her heat and was ahead of Powerhouse’s Fleur Spriggs (former world champion) at the 500m mark, but was unable to keep the pace in the last 500m.
The competition in the women’s C-grade was close with only seconds between the scullers, with Todd narrowly missing out on a seat in the final.
Shepparton’s men’s quad had the quickest qualifying time in the D-grade heat and progressed into the final as the favourite.
The crew of James Eldred, Puise, Cameron Boal, Nick Waller and James Darbyshire as the coxswain were shattered when the race was over for them five strokes from the start line when an oar snapped, putting them out of the race.
Junior sculler Emily Belcher from Euroa competed in her first regatta against some experienced rowers who all congratulated her as she passed the finish line, supporting her for participating in the 1000m event.
Belcher was relieved after the race.
‘‘I am just so happy I didn’t fall in,’’ she said.
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