Since its inception in 1957, the Yarra has been taken over by the Australian rowing world to host the race that sells out entries within minutes. It’s a common acknowledgement that the Head of the Yarra is a race that belongs to the leadership of the talented coxswains. Twists and turns bring every crew’s steering ability to light, with several moments highlighted in the coxswain’s briefing that terrify newcomers and excite those who’ve experienced the jubilation of owning a competitor’s t-shirt. The infamous Big Bend serves as a drifting corner, with well-placed arms in the water helping crews navigate the near-90-degree turn. Bridges are the minefield of aggressive overtakes and close (or played-out) collisions.
There aren’t many events that pull ex-Olympians out of retirement, but the bragging rights that come along with the presentation of a Head of the Yarra medal are too tempting for almost anyone in the rowing world to resist. Notably in this vein, Rosie Popa of the world-record-setting 2021 Olympic Women’s Four was spotted with the Barbarians Rowing Club. Taking a well-deserved respite from retirement on her home turf, she added a Mixed Masters Eight medal to her already extensive collection. The milder temperatures of the morning schedule gave way to 25 degrees of sunshine as the afternoon programme reached its endpoint. Despite the chilly morning, the heat of the racing more than made up for the cold snap that Melbourne can’t seem to escape.
Female U21 Eights
First on the program of events to note were the Female U21 eights. These talented young athletes are all taking advantage of the first interstate (and international, with the inclusion of our Kiwi comrades) opportunity to size up nominating competitors. In commanding separation, the first and second crews from Mercantile Rowing Club differentiated themselves from the Auckland Rowing Club in two-minute gaps.
The rapid rise of quality within Mercantile wasn’t quite enough to take out their Sydney Rowing Club competition, who led all three following to take the event with a dominant thirty-second lead. A relatively straightforward race was had by each boat, and we were treated to a stunning technical display by the revered Sydney as they victoriously approached the railway bridge to mark the end of their 8000m effort.
Male U21 Eights
Following the Female U21 eights and the Female B grade eights, we watched as the Male U21 eights came through the finish line following a slight steering mishap, which earned the Mercantile Rowing Club’s second crew a 15-second penalty. Bad luck didn’t overrun the powerhouse of the Mercantile first eight, as they led their time trial finish 28 seconds faster than the runners-up from Sydney.
Homeground advantage may have its perks, but with the Sydney University / Kand composite following their NSW oarsmen to place third, it’s evident that this isn’t always the case. Still, the bragging rights remain in Victoria as we venture into nomination season, leaving the land of the big white V contemplating how the upcoming racing season will fare against the undefeated Mercantilian youth men this year.
Female Open Eights
There’s nothing quite so exciting as the call of the Open events making their way through the 8000m course, and the Female Open Eights hold the prestige of the second last event to cross the finish line. Rumours of another crash made their way back as a penalty was added to the finishing time of the Melbourne University / Sydney University composite, leaving those leading ahead with a fifteen-second advantage.
Eyes were peeled for various shades of blue as we waited for the front-runners, and the buzz took over the crowd as we watched Melbourne University take their place on the podium as the victors of this year’s Female Open Eight. With a commanding lead of 28 seconds ahead of their Sydney Rowing Club competitors, the expertise of Cantwell, Dawson, Hooper, Harwood, de Uray, Lavery, Nevins and Dumbrell provided the power, whilst Jones steered them to victory.
Male Open Eights
The final event of the day had all eyes on the Yarra, and the time trial format proved that it can be as nail-biting as side-by-side racing with an excruciatingly close finish between first and second place. The Male Open Eight is one of the most sought-after entries in this regatta, and the calibre of competition increases from strength to strength as each competitor attempts to obtain victory. GPS data tells us the result we’re all waiting for with bated breath, and the 0.26-second separation between first and second place provides us with the sort of racing that stops the rowing nation.
Sydney Rowing Club, and the crew of McGillan, Hine, Aitken, Bevan, Bell, Harrold, Nichol, and Nichol were steered to the podium by the expertise of Harris. The split-second win sees the event victory slip from the Victorian grasp to the second-place finishing crew of Melbourne University, and the headship remain in Sydney as it has since 2017. An exceptional performance from both of these crews, leading the first eight from Mercantile by thirty seconds, showing us that the Head of the Yarra is truly a race won by every minuscule choice made up over 25 minutes of pure grit.
