The final day of racing and the highly anticipated King’s and Queen’s Cups Interstate Regatta is nearly upon us. The traditional battle between states and mates is the annual highlight of the Australian Rowing Championships. Victoria will be looking to retain their dominance in the Eights, having won three out of four races in the 2021 Interstate Regatta, whilst NSW will be trying to better their three silver medals.
With seven crews in both Youth eights, the Underage Interstate events will have a strong showing. It is fantastic to see such great participation from our states in the underage categories.
The singles see competition from across the field, with the ACT having a strong field of scullers ready to challenge the bigger states.
Late changes to crews could make for some interesting racing across the Interstate Regatta. Keep an eye on the Australian Rowing Championships for the final crews and draws on the day.
Queen’s Cup:
Victoria will be aiming to retain the Queens Cup after a strong showing in last year’s race. The Victorian team boasts an experienced crew with Tokyo Olympic Gold Medallist Lucy Stephan OAM, Georgie Gleeson, Eliza Gaffney and Olympian Kat Weary all returning from last year’s victorious crew. NSW will be looking to go one better this year, after a silver medal in the 2021 regatta. The battle for third will also be one to watch, with Queensland and Western Australia boasting strong crews.
Prediction: Victoria to go back-to-back
King’s Cup:
Once again, the battle for the Kings Cup will be between NSW and Victoria. The NSW crew is stacked with Australian Team members with all but one member of the NSW crew a current member of the Senior team. The Victorian team is not to be discounted with Simon Keenan, the Lavery brothers Nick and Rohan, and Angus Widdicombe all headlining a strong outfit. Queensland and Western Australia are expected to battle for third with both crews naming strong teams.
Prediction: NSW to take the title, with Victoria and Western Australia to podium respectively
Noel F Wilkinson Trophy:
A packed field of Eights will make the Men’s Youth Eight a great race to watch. With lots of underage talent within these crews, the race could be anyone’s. Victoria will be looking to hold onto the Noel F Wilkinson Trophy, but will undoubtably be challenged by crews hungry for success from NSW and Queensland.
Prediction: Victoria to hold onto the trophy, but Queensland to finish fast for a close silver.
Bicentennial Cup:
The Youth Crews are always a surprise within the field, with relatively unknown athletes taking the opportunity to make their mark. Last year we saw Western Australia take the gold to deny Victoria a clean sweep of the eights, but will they go back-to-back?
Prediction: NSW to come home strong and take the victory.
PR3 Men’s Single:
Nick Neales (ACT) will be looking to upgrade his Bronze Medal from 2021 after a highly successful Nationals in 2022. With no Jed Altschwager racing for South Australia this year, a new champion in the Men’s PR3 Single will be crowned, and the title is wide open for the taking. James Talbot (NSW) and Mac Russell (QLD) have both claimed golds this week and will be hungry for more.
Prediction: James Talbot to finish strong, with Nick Neales to take the Silver
PR3 Women’s Single:
With no Nikki Ayers in the PR3 Single this year, the women’s field is wide open. Jessica Gallagher for Victoria will be the hot favourite after her win earlier this week in the Women’s PR3 Single. Rebecca Jones from the ACT is a new name in the PR3 field, but a bronze medal earlier this week means she is a chance for a podium position NSW Sculler Lisa Greissl made her Para debut for NSW at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in 2021 and will be ready to upgrade her Masters Gold to a Nationals Gold.
Prediction: Jessica Gallagher to take the gold.
President’s Cup
The President’s Cup could be anyone’s for the taking. Tokyo crew mates Jack Cleary (WA) and Caleb Antill (ACT) will battle each other, with fellow Australian Team member David Barthalot (NSW) not to be counted out. Red Matthews (VIC) will also be in the mix, after a strong performance over the weekend, winning the Open Lightweight Single and Open Men’s Double.
Prediction: David Barthalot to take the win, with Caleb Antill and Jack Cleary pushing hard in the final 500m.
Nell Slatter Trophy:
Harriet Hudson comes into the race as a strong favourite for NSW, following the victory in the Open Women’s Double Scull with Rowena Meredith. Kate Rowan from Queensland can’t be dismissed, after a silver medal in the Open Women’s Pair will leave her hungry for Gold. With an entirely different field from 2021, this race will definitely be one to watch.
Prediction: Harriet Hudson to edge out Kate Rowan.
Penrith Cup:
A small field for the Lightweight Fours means a close contest across this race. The defending champions Queensland have seen two members of the victorious crew return, and podium finishers New South Wales and Victoria have similar crews to last year as well. South Australia is not to be counted out of the medals with Oscar McGuiness showing great form across these Nationals Championships and will be ready to push South Australia towards the podium.
Prediction: NSW to finish off a strong lightweight performance, with South Australia to podium.
Victoria Cup:
Defending champions Tasmania will be strong favourites. Tasmania will be fielding a strong crew with Georgia Nesbitt, Eve Mure and Anneka Reardon all pulling on the Tasmanian zootie. NSW and Victoria are always strong in the Lightweight Quad and will be challenging for podium positions. The Queensland crew is stacked with strong U23 athletes but whether they can challenge the long-time strength of NSW and Victoria remains to be seen.
Prediction: Tasmania to retain the title, with NSW to hold onto Silver and a strong Queensland crew to challenge for Bronze.