Which Chch crews will row to Maadi Cup glory?

Rangi Ruru’s under-18 coxed eight will be searching for an 18th Levin Cup win after finishing with gold at the South Island secondary schools championships over the weekend. Photo: Rowing Picture Show

With the pinnacle of high school rowing less than two weeks away, crews are making their final preparations before travelling to Lake Karapiro for the Maadi Cup regatta from March 27 to April 1. Jaime Cunningham looks at Christchurch’s top contenders

Girls’ under-18 coxed four – Dawn Cup

Rangi Ruru look to be top contenders for a majority of the girls’ sweep events at this year’s Maadi Cup regatta – and the Dawn Cup is no exception. The school’s top boat dominated at the South Island secondary schools championships over the weekend, winning both the heat and final with their second boat not far behind. If Rangi Ruru’s No 1 crew can row similar to their 7m 36.16sec heat, they will give the North Island boats a real run for their money.
But don’t rule out Rangi Ruru’s second crew or Christchurch Girls’ High’s top crew, who both have plenty of time to sharpen up before the Maadi Cup gets under way in a couple weeks. Last year’s Dawn Cup silver medallists St Margaret’s College have no boats in the race.

Boys’ under-18 coxed four – Springbok Shield

St Bede’s College are contenders for this year’s Maadi Cup after winning the under-18 coxed eight at the South Island championships. Photo: Sharron Bennett Photography

With last year’s Springbok Shield silver medallists St Andrew’s College absent at the South Island championships regatta over the weekend, and last year’s winners, Mt Albert Grammar, finishing last at the North Island secondary schools championships, it’s likely there will be a new Springbok Shield winner this year. The St Bede’s crew of Sam Woodgate, Thomas Woodgate, Matthew Glen, Luke Hickling and coxswain Liam Duff impressed at the weekend’s regatta, winning in 7m 8.35sec and will be challenging for North Island crews to beat. Christ’s College also look to be contenders, while last year’s Springbok Shield bronze medallists, Christchurch Boys’ High will be in with a chance at medalling for a second straight year. But with four North Island schools racing under 6m 48sec over the weekend, Christchurch schools will have to be at their best at Lake Karapiro.

Girls’ under-18 coxed eight – Levin 75th Jubilee Cup

Two Christchurch powerhouses, Rangi Ruru and St Margaret’s College, have dominated this event, winning the Levin Cup a combined 24 times since 1981. This year looks to be no different, with Rangi Ruru winning the event at the South Island championships. St Margaret’s finished just over four seconds behind. St Andrew’s College finished sixth at he South Island champs, but it was the first year they had entered a crew in this race and they could be a contender for years to come. With only Waikato Diocesan able to break 7m 30sec at the North Island regatta over the weekend, don’t rule out Christchurch Girls’ High chances of medalling. The CGHS crew raced home in 7m 35.19sec to finish with bronze at the South Island regatta. And with times typically 10 seconds slower on Lake Ruataniwha than Karapiro, CGHS will be in contention alongside Rangi and St Margaret’s. CGHS rower Lucy Haller said the crew has been focused on bringing intensity to their last few sessions, particularly transferring erg training to the water. “It would mean a lot to all of us to medal in the most prestigious girls’ race, especially after all the training we’ve done,” Haller said.

Boys’ under-18 coxed eight – Maadi Cup

The Maadi Cup is no doubt the most anticipated race of the regatta. St Bede’s are in contention to lift the Cup for the first time since 1991, after winning the race over the weekend. The majority of this year’s crew are the under-17 coxed eight gold medallists from last year’s Maadi Cup, with Bede Giera the only new addition. Head coach Dale Maher said he took on a group of novices in 2019 and they made an agreement to stick together until they could race for the Maadi Cup in four years. “The first thing we talk about is making the final and if we can podium, then that’ll be great too,” he said. “We’re really process driven and focused. If we can produce that time we’re aiming for, then we should be good, and even if we don’t win, it’s still a success.”
Last year’s Maadi Cup silver medallists, Christ’s College, had three crews race at the South Island event over the weekend, with the No 3 crew finishing with bronze. Christ’s will have plenty of time to establish their top crew to contest for a 14th Maadi Cup title before the national regatta gets under way. Christchurch Boys’ High cannot be ruled out either. With four of last year’s bronze medal crew retained this year, CBHS will challenge Hamilton Boys’ High’s bid for a second consecutive win.