Corowa Rowing Club schoolgirl rowers’ success

The rowers competing at the regatta representing The Scots School, Anastasia McFarlane and Sommers Hogan in the open double scull, Phoebe Packer in the open single scull and Indi Hogan and Charlotte Packer in the year 10 double scull.

Immie Tomlinson was competing for St Francis DeSales in the Open single sculls, Imogen Wragge for St Paul’s College in the Open single sculls and Eily Taylor competing for Rutherglen High School in the year 10 single sculls events.

Day one of racing began on Friday, with the open events over 1500m and the year 10 events 1000m. The first crew up was Anastasia and Sommers and as expected this crew showed their class to lead all the way and progress through to Saturday’s semifinal.

The open singles were up next with Phoebe and Immie Tomlinson lining up against each other against the inform local sculler.

As the race progressed the local sculler moved into the lead with the battle on between Phoebe and Immie. Phoebe showed her power as she moved clear with both scullers getting a second chance through the repechage on Saturday.

Imogen Wragge was assigned a tough heat and in ideal conditions she kept pace with the early leaders before settling into second place and joining her teammates in the Reps.

Indi and Charlotte keep improving, competing in the highly competitive year 10 double scull. The girls are the Victorian year 10 Champions and were keen to be back on the Barwon River.

The girls continued their liking for the Geelong course leading all the way for a direct path to Sunday’s final with less than four seconds separating three crews.

Eily lined up for her first time on the tricky Barwon course and started cautiously before she settled into the race. She moved into third place and was in a battle for second before she hit a buoy and fell in with 100m to go. She got back in her boat and finished her race learning a valuable lesson. The determined rower was keen to learn about the course so after the regatta she got back in her boat to practice her steering for the weekend’s racing.

Day two saw perfect conditions for rowers with the reps of the year 10 were first up with Eily keen to improve on Friday’s row. Situated midfield by the 500m mark Eily made her move to push past a sculler and finish in second place and into the C Final on Sunday.

The open single scullers were up next, needing to win to move in the quarter finals later in the day. Immie Tomlinson was up first, and her aim was to go out fast and hold on for as long as possible, and that’s what she did.

Immie held the early lead as the rest of the field made their move and in a final push to the line, she finished in third place and made it into the semi on Sunday morning.

Phoebe has shown great power in her crew boats throughout the season as she was determined to do the same in the single. She had the best of starts to take the lead and power down the course to claim the win and progress into the quarter finals.

Imogen Wragge lined up in the third Rep and was ready for a battle to move into the quarter finals. Imogen showed her class to take the early lead and cross the line first in one of her best rows in a single.

With a two hour break the quarter finals were up next with the rowers needing a top two finish to make the semi-finals 1 and 2 and a top 8 placing.

Imogen was up first, not getting the best start she got behind early and tried to work her way back into the race but fell short finishing in third place.

Phoebe was up next as she lined up against one of the favourites with both scullers moving clear of the field. Phoebe settled into the all-important second place as she crossed the line and moved into the top two semifinals.

The last race for the day was Anastasia and Sommers who were keen to show the rest of the field why they are considered a medal chance. The race plan was simply, to get the early lead and push away through the middle 500m and settle crossing the line.

The crew followed the plan to perfection leading all the way and recording the fastest time by two seconds to progress through to Sunday’s final against a quality field.

Day three racing saw conditions change with a temperature drop, a bit of rain and a slight tail wind.

The first sculler down the course was Phoebe who needed a top two finish to progress into the A final.

The fastest qualifiers were in the middle of the course with Phoebe in lane four. She had a great start and steering a fantastic course finished strongly in third place, recording her fastest moving through to the B final.

Immie Tomlinson was in a race for a place in the D or E final. The plan was simple, row straight and record her fastest time. Immie continued her great speed at the start to hold a slight lead with 1000m to go. As the pace picked up she continued her great steering to finish second with her fastest time for the regatta.

Eily lined up in the C final determined to continue her improvement with each race. Giving away a lead at the start, she made her move through the middle of the race. Gaining great experience over the course with each race, Eily showed her fitness as she powered past the rest of the field to record her fastest time over the course to win the C final and finish 9th overall.

Immie Tomlinson was ready for the challenge in her final race as a schoolgirl as she lined up in the E final. Immie continued her fantastic starts to be in the mix with 500m to go, moving clear of one sculler the race was on to between two scullers. With the finish line fast approaching and in a final sprint to the line Immie finished in second place.

Immie has competed in five HOSG events. Moving to Leeton for boarding school has been a challenge with training but she is a Morongo medalist and always gives her all.

The Open C final featured Imogen and with four scullers lining up a great challenge was in store as she was determined to have her best row.

Little separated the field after the first 500m as Imogen pressed hard at the halfway point showing the coaches and supporters she was up to the challenge. With the finish line in sight Imogen continued her great rhythm and power to move clear and take the win with her fastest time for the weekend and gaining confidence for next year’s HOSG regatta.

Phoebe has improved with each row, showing great steering and power to progress through to the B final against a quality field. She continued her liking for the Geelong course to be in contention after 500m. The race pace picked up as the fastest qualifiers in the middle lanes made their move as Phoebe moved clearly into third position.

Giving her all down the course, Phoebe held onto third place seventh overall and having a PB over the course a great way to finish her school-girl rowing.

The regatta’s finals were all held in the afternoon, with the Year 10 double Indi and Charlotte lining up against three crews and two seconds separating the field.

The girls didn’t get the best of starts, as they work hard to catch the early leaders and were well placed at the 500m mark.

The crew was moving into medal contention before an injury forced them to stop and as they crossed the line in fourth place with one rower able to row. A great achievement for their first year in a boat together and we look forward to next year’s HOSG.

The final event was the open double featuring Anastasia and Sommers with two clear favourites in the event, the girls were up for a real challenge against the Korowa Anglican College crew.

The race followed the form guide, with the Korowa crew holding a slight lead as the two favourites moved clear with the race well and truly on for the gold medal.

Anastasia and Sommers made a real push at the 500m mark to pull up alongside the fast-starting crew with little separating the crews for the next 500m.

The race was there to be won with both crews in a real battle for the gold medal.

Anastasia and Sommers showed real mental and physical toughness to get their bow in front and over the last 30 strokes pushed clear to claim an amazing win. The girls were exhausted after the race, with both crews putting on a fantastic race.

After a successful regatta the weekend it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the families and support coaches Emily, Bella and Eva. As past HOSG medalists their knowledge and experience with the girls gave the club a real advantage.

As our rowers have a well-earned break and some gear up for their winter sports, we are always looking for our next future champions.

If you are interested in finding out more about the sport and club, now is a perfect time to call in or contact the Club Captain Wes on 0448 265 995.