The sprint eliminator is back for 2026, and the prizes are even bigger. $10,000 for a win on Sunday will make for a very happy sculler indeed. The format is simple: nine athletes line up for a 250m sprint. Last place is eliminated, rinse and repeat until a champion is crowned. The field has stepped up in quality this year, and I’m confident we’ll see even more fireworks than at the 2025 inaugural event.
Hamish Danks
The reigning champion, Hamish, had to work hard to earn his cheque in 2025, with Holt pushing him all the way. This year, Danks has stepped on in his sculling. After an international campaign in the U23 quad, he’s shown he’s building a the right time in recent weeks, with a silver in the elite men’s single scull at the New South Wales championships. This isn’t a 2000m race, though. Will he be able to find that speed on the short track?
Paddy Holt
Although he wasn’t first across the line last year, Paddy Holt was surely the star of the show. Taking a break post-Olympics, he kept himself just far enough away from elimination to stay in contention, and then gave Danks a good run in the final few races. Although most of his competition has been with one oar recently, he took convincing wins in both the elite four and eight at the New South Wales championships. At his peak, Paddy could be a contender for the 10k this weekend.
Will Rogers
Third in last year’s eliminator and one of the youngest competitors in the field, Will Rogers has proved his speed in the single time and time again. Having represented Australia at junior worlds a couple of years ago – making the A-final – he knows how to move the small boat fast. This year, the King’s old boy has moved to the pair, enjoying some success with Queenslander Lex Tucker. The single will never be far from his mind, though. An aggressive racer – expect Rogers to try and go one or two spots better than last year.
Matt Dunham
Our sole international representative, New Zealand’s Matt Dunham, will be looking to take that prize money back across the ditch. Matt’s experience spans almost every boat class and type of water. 2017 was one of the standout years for the former lightweight, winning The Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta and a silver at the World Rowing Championships in the lightweight single. More recently, he’s moved on to coastal rowing, representing New Zealand on four occasions. The coastal rowing is the most interesting part to me, given the shorter distances and the high-intensity training. Could this be the winning edge at this year’s event?
Marcus Della Marta
Making the trip up from the Canberra NTC, Marcus Della-Marta will be looking to prove why he’s among the best of Australian scullers at the moment. Fourth in last year’s event, Marcus has stepped on this season, and possibly has a bit more racing experience under his belt – being the only NTC athlete to compete at the New South Wales championships. Having narrowly missed out on the cash last year, Della-Marta will be back with a vengeance in 2025.
Jack Cleary
A national champion in sprint events, Jack Cleary is another NTC member coming up from Canberra this weekend. Olympic Bronze-medallist in the quad in Tokyo, the West Australian has proved he has a sprint finish in him on many occasions. If he can translate that into the raw speed required for a flat 250, he’ll be a real threat this weekend.
Prediction
With such a high-quality field, this event is anyone’s game. The format is a true test of both top speed and endurance. It takes some strategy to make it through all nine rounds and still have enough in the tank to perform when things get tight. I’m going to pick Paddy Holt for the win. Matt Dunham’s beach sprint prowess will prove valuable for second, while Jack Cleary will hang on for third.
