Sydney Uni has Sauce on the Course! - By Lizzi Chapman

In overcast, breezy conditions yesterday, Sydney University finally brought home both the Edwund Barton Trophy and the Bella Guerin Trophy with the help of college talent identified by SUBC/NSWIS Network coaches Debbie Fox and Alfie Young stepping up to the women’s crew, and Olympians Cam Girdlestone, Sasha Belonogoff and SUBC/NSWIS Network coach Don Mclachlan showing young, up-and-comers how to get the job done.

Both crews experienced aggressive tactics from Melbourne University at the start of their races, with oars interlocked and coxes jostling to find space in the narrows at the head of the Yarra. But both held their nerve and their rhythm, and powered away in the middle of the race to win by several lengths.

The Australian Boat Race is a rowing match race between the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney. The first competition between the two universities was in 1860. Since 2009 the race has been run annually, with the hosting of the race alternating each year between the two universities. The crews race side by side either down the Yarra River in Melbourne or across the Sydney Harbour and in to Darling Harbour. Every year Melbourne Uni has won the women’s race, and for all but one of those years, Sydney Uni has won the men’s race.

Three years ago races for women’s and men’s colleges were added, with the winners of the Inter College competition earning the right to field a crew. This has proved a fertile ground for spotting future rowing talent with athletes often progressing to representing the university the following year. St Andrew’s College retained the men’s college title with a commanding win over Ormond College of Melbourne, whilst Wesley College brought some exciting new talent to the women’s race and will look to turn the tables on Ormond next year.

Crews were made up of students from Sydney University, not necessarily from Sydney University Boat Club, giving some of our top pathway athletes in NSW a chance to experience preparing and racing together as they will later in the season when preparing for Under 23 and State team crews.

Women’s Crew

Stroke: Wallis Russell (SUBC/QAS)

Seven: Georgie Masters (UTS/NSWIS)

Six: Dyone Bettega (SUBC)

Five: Emma Fessey (UTS)

Four: Harriet Hudson (Sydney RC/NSWIS)

Three: Carina Simpson (SUBC)

Two: Laura Triggs (SUBC)

Bow: Lizzie Treloar (SUBC)

Cox: Rebecca Harrisson (UTS)

Coaches: Alfie Young, Debbie Fox

Men’s Crew

Stroke: Cameron Girdlestone (SUBC/NSWIS)

Seven: Sasha Belonogoff (SUBC)

Six: Leon Chambers (SUBC)

Five: Jacob Bicknell (SUBC)

Four: Andrew Judge (SUBC/NSWIS)

Three: Devlin Walsh (SUBC/NSWIS)

Two: Marcus Britt (SUBC)

Bow: Jack Hanley (SUBC)

Cox: Will Raven (SUBC), Captain

Coaches: Don Mclachlan, Dustyn Butler