One of the peculiarities of this event – the quad is most definitely the premier boat class on display. Many of the boys’ schools not a part of the AAGPS are sculling programmes, and while they may not have the big names and speed of some of those schools, there’s never any shortage of drama on the water.
Kinross Wolaroi
The reigning champions in this event, Kinross, are a force to be reckoned with every time they set off in a quad. Toby Buckland is the only returning member of last year’s crew, who has been alternating between two oars and one this season, winning the state title in the U19 pair with crewmate Hamish Searle just weeks ago. Unfortunately, this event was cancelled that weekend due to lightning, so we don’t have a great read on how this combination has been coming together. In term four, a slightly different combination had the field’s measure – can this crew perform on their first outing?
Marist College
A powerhouse of the nation’s capital and reigning national champions in this event, Marist College will be looking to steal the local crew’s thunder this weekend. Clark and Storgato did get a race at the New South Wales titles, and although it was in the U17 quad, they proved their worth – smoking the field by 15 seconds to set a 6:42. If the additional horsepower of the older boys can add a bit of speed to this combination, expect Marist to challenge for the win on the weekend.
Redlands
After flying under the radar for a few years, Redlands has put together a number of impressive results this season. In term four, they challenged the Kinross quad at every opportunity and looked like a real threat in the early season. At the New South Wales championships, we saw them jump in a coxless boat and trump a number of far more experienced athletes for a bronze medal. The versatility required to jump on the faster boat is a skill that should be commended and should set them up well to challenge for a medal, or even a win, this weekend.
Gippsland Grammar
Somewhat of a dark horse in this event, the boys from regional Victoria could throw up a few surprises on Sunday. Gippsland are the reigning Victorian state champions, having won that title on Lake Wendouree in a time of 6:38 last weekend. Given the quick conditions in Ballarat, that should put them right in the hunt at the top of this field. While they didn’t get to race a the New South Wales championships, the two halves of this crew were looking well placed for medals in the schoolboy double before that event was cancelled.
Prediction
With a severe lack of racing in this event this season, this title could go anywhere. For me, Marist College has had the best showing in recent weeks, and off the back of their national title last year, it’s clear they’re only building. I’ll pick them for the win, and the minor medals will be close. Redlands have stepped on well this year and should pick up a silver ahead of Gippsland Grammar.
