The Sydney University women’s crew claimed its seventh consecutive win over the University of Melbourne on the Yarra River on Sunday in the closest Australian Boat Race in recent years. The Sydney University Men’s eight continued its domination over the University of Melbourne, claiming victory for the tenth year in a row.
This boat race was raced across 3.2 kilometres, with the course having been shortened slightly from previous years to avoid the narrow stretch of river alongside Herring Island.
The race formalities started the day prior, with Melbourne University captain, Eliza Gaffney, winning the coin toss and opting to race in the North lane, and Sydney University’s captain, Jack Kench, winning the coin toss for the men’s race and likewise electing to race on the north bank of the Yarra.
In the men’s race, the Melbourne University crew, stroked by three-time Olympian Josh Booth, got away to a fast start, taking half a boat length lead early in the race. Sydney University were quick to respond and swiftly overtook them on the first bend. From there, the Sydney University crew, stroked by Will Rogers, pushed away and continued to extend their lead to ultimately win by approximately three boat lengths.
The women’s race proved a more tightly fought contest. It didn’t take long before this intense battle saw clashing of blades, to which the Melbourne University cox and Paris Olympian, Hayley Verbunt, held her line, keeping her crew on course, while the Sydney University crew briefly retreated to the South side of the river.
As both crews moved through the Cremorne Railway bridge and into the second bend, Sydney University’s cox, Chloe Jureta, moved her boat over towards the north lane, attempting to steer around the corner as tightly as possible, causing the umpire to lift the white flag in warning.
The crews passed through the Morell bridge, neither boat willing to give an inch. A prevailing pattern throughout this race was the clashing of oars, which saw the Sydney University boat lose some momentum as the crews began the final kilometre of racing.
As the crews advanced through the Swan Street bridge, the two boats sat with their bow balls in line. Sydney University held the advantage heading into the final bend, leaving Melbourne University facing a tough challenge if they were going to make it across the line first.
As they passed the Judge’s box, aided by the south side advantage on the final corner, the Sydney University crew, led by stroke Tiffany Botha, summoned one final surge and made an impressive push to cross the line with 1 and a 1/2 boat lengths lead over Melbourne University.
Sydney University has once again taken a clean sweep, winning both the men’s and women’s Australian Boat Race in a truly commendable display of the University’s depth of talent.
Both Universities have produced some of Australia’s finest rowers, and that is reflected in the large number of Australian Senior and U23 Team representatives racing in both universities’ crews today.
This year’s Australian Boat Race delivered the closest contest in the women’s boat race in recent years and is a promising sign of what is to come from the University of Melbourne in future years.
