This article was written prior to the release of the entry draw due to the late release of supplementary entries.
In parallel with Christmas Regatta over at Lake Karapiro in the North Island, the South Island is also kicking off their season with a bang: the Meridian Otago Championships. On the glassy turquoise waters of Lake Ruataniwha, some of the top crews on the Island will be returning for another year of fierce battles and tight margins. So, let’s take a look at who the leading contenders are in the Open Women’s events.
Dunstan Arms Rowing Club
A ubiquitous name in New Zealand rowing, Dunstan are legendary for the sculling contingents they put together year on year. With a draw not yet released, it’s difficult to pinpoint their exact lineups, but one thing is sure: coach Simon Smith will be using his steady hand to field some seriously deadly crews, likely across all sculling categories. Last year at this regatta, they came away with a convincing one-two finish in the Open quad, so I would keep a close eye on this event, as I am sure they’ll be yearning for a repeat. They bolstered this result with another one-two in the Open singles, and a third in the Open eight – an impressive result for a club typically known for sculling prowess. The work ethic cultivated at this club is certainly a key part of their success, making them a formidable competitor to any team that dares to underestimate them. Assuming no unexpected entry decisions, I would put Dunstan squarely at the front of any pack they’re in.
Avon Rowing Club
It essentially goes without saying that Avon will be a force to be reckoned with at this regatta. As the largest club in the South Island by some margin, their sheer quantity of entries makes them dangerous, let alone the talent they have in their ranks. With this being the official season opener for the South Island, Avon will be looking to come out swinging and assert their dominance for another year on the trot. Last year, they came away with an awe-inspiring one-two finish in the Open eight, squashing their competitors with a 12-second margin back to the next best club. As incredible as that result was, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see a similar outcome this year. Avon will mainly be racing against themselves again, as seen in the Open pair last year, where six out of the ten A-final crews were Avon lineups. Although this does make for slightly less interesting racing, it’s hard to deny their superiority. If I had to make one prediction for this regatta, it’s that Lake Ruataniwha will be painted red and white this weekend.
Notable Mentions
Taking a little look at some of the smaller regattas of this season so far, a couple of smaller clubs stand out. At the Marlborough Championships in late November, Wairau Rowing Club stood out, cleaning up in the Open pairs and coxless fours. Although it is not yet clear if they will be making an appearance at the Otago Champs, if they do, they may be a force to be reckoned with. Furthermore, at the Aoraki 1000m Regatta, Timaru Rowing Club also showed up well, with many of their crews right in the mix with Dunstan. Again, if they choose to make an appearance, they will undoubtedly be in the mix.
