Elite rowing, ideal Gippsland weather and a warm country welcome combined to make the second annual Sale Head Regatta an outstanding success last Saturday. More than 300 spectators…
Elite rowing, ideal Gippsland weather and a warm country welcome combined to make the second annual Sale Head Regatta an outstanding success last Saturday. More than 300 spectators lined the banks of the Thomson River to cheer on over 120 competitors representing five schools and rowing clubs, drawing a crowd significantly larger than last year's inaugural event.
Hosted by Gippsland Grammar, the regatta welcomed crews from Korowa Anglican Girls' School, Carey Grammar, Lauriston Girls' School and the Sale Rowing Club, further cementing its position on Rowing Victoria's competition calendar. The single-day program featured 32 races, with key format updates adding to the spectator experience. For the first time, crews of eight were included, with Lauriston Girls' School fielding two eights, while a new side-by-side sprint series provided a thrilling conclusion to the day.
The sprint final between Gippsland Grammar and Carey Grammar went down to the wire, with Carey snatching victory by just two seats in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Gippsland Grammar director of rowing Nick Bartlett said introducing sprint racing had been a long-held goal."We've always wanted to run side-by-side sprints from the Port of Sale to the pontoon at the rowing sheds," Bartlett said."It was really nice to see it work exactly how we thought it would.
It was so fast, everyone was watching. I think it will become a signature event for us."Gippsland Grammar fielded 60 rowers from years 8 to 12, winning approximately two-thirds of the day's events, while every participating school and club recorded at least one victory.
Among the standout performers for Gippsland Grammar was year 11 student Grace Frew, who won both the female school coxed quad scull open division one event and the female four-person sprint."Having a regatta so close to where we live means so many family members and friends were able to come down to watch and support, which created such a positive and welcoming environment," Frew said."I loved being able to compete on the same water where I train every day, which made winning on the weekend extra special."The regatta's appeal extended well beyond local borders, attracting numerous Melbourne families to Sale alongside local supporters.
This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Snowy River Mail .