The ACT had some excellent performances from its rowers at the week long National Regatta in Penrith, finishing Sunday 30 March.
Cara Grzeskowiak of Capital Lakes club had a great regatta with a win in the Champion Women’s under 21 single scull a highlight, and setting Cara up as a likely member of Australia’s under 21 team to compete against New Zealand later in the year. Cara was also a member of second placed composite ANU and Capital Lakes Under 23 double scull and quad scull crews, that indicate that the ACT has some quality in this young women’s cohort. Also impressive in the Women’s under 21 singles was Sarah Davis who came second to Cara in the single, and Sarah was also third in an all ANU crew in the under 21 quads. Davis was part of Australia’s junior (under 19) team last year and could also make this year’s under 21 team.

Among the ACT men, Luke Letcher of Black Mountain had a great regatta, coming second in the Championship under 23 Single Scull, and stroking the winning Under 23 Double and Quad scull crews. These crews included scullers from Buckingham (Tasmania) and University of Queensland. Although still eligible to row in the Under 21 National team, Letcher is almost certain to be selected in the Australian Senior B (under 23) team, as he is one of the dominant performers in this age grouping.

In the Open aged category races Tom Perry and Nick Barnier of Canberra Rowing Club had excellent results. Perry was a member of Champion Men’s Lightweight Double and Quad Sculls that both came second. The Double involved Perry rowing with former ACT based rower Joe Gubler. Barnier was a member of an Open Champion Quad Scull crew that had a row over win.

ACTAS athletes Nick Hudson and Hannah Every-Hall both rowed for Australian crews that won Gold in the International World Cup Regatta: Hudson in the men’s quad, Every-Hall in the lightweight double. Both of these locals appear to have successfully come back to International rowing after a season or two out of the Australian team. ACTAS coach Andrew Randall should be pleased that his athletes are doing so well.

Special mention about local AIS athlete, Angus Moore from Canberra RC, who was a member of both the winning Australian four and eight in the International Regatta.