Nick Jones at Champion Lakes Regatta Centre
Predicted conditions
It could be a testing and breezy start for the opening day of the 2023 Australian Rowing Championships (ARC). Winds start at a moderate ESE 20km/h, then are forecast to ease as the day progresses. Temperatures are perfect for racing with the heat peaking at 26 degrees at around 3pm.
Small boats day
All events on Monday will be Single Sculls and Doubles/Pairs Rowing. All ages will be taking to the water. The first event of the day will be the Under 17 Women’s Single Scull, then finishing with race 100, the Under 21 Men’s Double Scull. Kicking off the Open’s Events is the Open Women’s Single Scull, start time 1pm.
Event/Race to watch
There should be plenty of intrigue around the Men’s Coxless Pair, with our Australian Rowing Team (ART) Sweepmen entered into the event. There will be three heats, starting at 1:35pm, and the draw includes a host of ART athletes such as William O’Shannessy/Jackson Kench, Patrick Holt/Rohan Lavery and Marcus Britt/Alex Purnell, just to name a few.
Athlete to Watch: Tara Rigney
Tara Rigney will be racing in the Sydney University colours in the Open Women’s Single Sculls. The 23-year-old is coming off a career-best year when she claimed bronze in the Single Sculls at the World Rowing Championships and is one of the rising stars of Australian rowing heading towards Paris 2024. At Champion Lakes, Rigney will also compete in the Open Women’s Double Scull with Rowena Meredith. She will be back in the boat on Sunday to represent New South Wales in the Interstate Women’s Single Scull.
A Champion Course
As one of the two purpose-built Regatta Centres in Australia, Champion Lakes has a unique history. After opening in 2009, the Lake hosted the 2011 World Masters Games and the 2012 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. The Lake is composed of a 2000m long course that fits eight lanes, a warm-up lake and a finishing tower that seats 1500 spectators. The boat launching ramp is 15m wide and can accommodate up to 12 boats at a time.