Otago schools featured strongly as the Maadi Cup began yesterday.
Many of the province’s crews advanced through their heats, bypassing repechages, at the national schools rowing regatta at Lake Ruataniwha.
Dunstan High School has set the standard for the South in recent years and made an impact yesterday.
Its duo of Pipi Horan and Sophie Smith won their under-18 double sculls heat, while also winning their single sculls heats in the under-17 and under-18 grades respectively.
The school’s girls quadruple sculls crew also won its heat.
Otago Boys’ High School fared strongly in the under-18 grade.
Duo Grayson Small and Henry Kirk impressed to win their pair heat, while Kirk was similarly impressive in winning his single sculls heat.
John McGlashan College crews were littered through the top results, notably Mark Smith winning his under-18 single sculls heat.
Wakatipu High School had a similarly impressive day across the board, particularly in its double sculls boats.
Bayfield High School’s Eleanor Baldi claimed a win in her under-18 single sculls heat, while Harriet Thompson (Otago Girls’ High School) finished first in her under-16 single heat.
Columba College had a first-place in the under-17 coxed four, while Mount Aspiring College, St Kevin’s College and Cromwell College also had crews advance through.
Racing continues today with the finals set for Friday and Saturday.
-- JEFF CHESHIRE
