As we step ever closer to the Maadi Regatta, the South Island Secondary Schools are the last chance for these schools to have race experience before they go to battle against the North Island later in the month. Expect lots of quality racing as crews look to build solid momentum as they look to push on and claim a national title.
Double Sculls
Coming away from the South Island Championships, two crews from this event look poised to take out the title at the South Island Secondary Schools. After winning by a three-second margin, Columba College are in a prime position to stamp its mark as the fastest double on the island. Following them in second place were Burnside High School, who will surely be motivated to get one over Columba and climb to first place. The podium will likely be rounded out by either Whakatipu Rowing Club or Christchurch Girls High School, who both produced promising results at South Island Champs.
Quadruple Sculls
This event looks to be set up for a cracker of a race, with less than half a second separating first and second place at the South Island Champs. Queen Margaret College snuck home in front of Columba College, who will have been gutted to miss out on first by such a close margin. Both crews will be expecting a hard-fought race this coming weekend and will have to fend off the likes of Cashmere as they look to deliver a quality race.
Coxed Fours
With a reasonably spread-out podium last time out, this event will likely be an opportunity for the top crews to find their pace and get a good race in preparation for the Maadi Regatta later in the month. After topping the podium last time out, Christchurch Girls will surely be looking to remain and possibly put some more distance between them and the crews following them. They will be closely followed by Queen Margaret College; however, don’t look to be within range of any other challengers.
Coxed Eights
The powerhouse of Rangi Ruru Girls School has planted a six-second lead over second place at the South Island Champs, and with their pedigree, will almost definitely maintain this and likely add to it this coming weekend. To round out the podium, Christchurch Girls and Queen Margaret will tussle for second and third, with no other realistic challengers in sight. Though with Christchurch‘s five-second lead at their previous meeting, it would be an impressive feat for Queen Margaret to get above the first step of the podium.
Predictions
Double Sculls
Columba College will likely place first. They will be followed by Burnside in second place. Third place could go either way of Whakatipu or Christchurch Girls; however, I am picking Whakatipu to round out the podium in third place.
Quadruple Sculls
In my opinion, first and second place are impossible to pick, expect to see Queen Margaret College or Columba College take the top spot. Cashmere will like their chances of having a crack at those two crews; however, I see them having to settle for third place.
Coxed Fours
On the back of a strong campaign so far, expect to see Christchurch Girls topping this podium, followed closely by Queen Margaret College, with Marlborough Girls College likely to take out third place.
Coxed Eights
Realistically, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School look certain to win this event. I expect to see Christchurch Girls’ HS in second place, followed by Queen Margaret College in third.
