Maadi Cup 2024: School Rowing Heats & Emerging Talent Shine in Twizel
TWIZEL, New Zealand – The opening day of the Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Ruataniwha saw North Island crews establish an early lead in several key events, whereas also marking a significant milestone for rowing programs in the Christchurch area. The regatta, New Zealand’s premier secondary school rowing competition, is underway with a palpable sense of anticipation building for the coming days.
Among the standout performances were those of Waikato Diocesan and Whanganui Collegiate in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Four. Having already demonstrated their prowess at the North Island Championships – securing gold and silver respectively – they efficiently progressed directly to Friday’s final. Ashburton College and Christchurch Girls’ High School also qualified directly, while Rangi Ruru will have a second chance to reach the final through the repechage.
The Boys Under 18 Pair also saw North Island dominance, with Charlie Field and Josh Haskell of King’s College delivering a commanding heat win and emerging as the fastest qualifiers for their final. The competition is clearly fierce, setting the stage for a compelling showdown later in the week.
In the Girls Under 18 Pair, Epsom Girls Grammar’s Jessica Walkinshaw and Imogen Wallis set the pace, securing the fastest time and a place in the semi-finals. They were joined by crews from Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Waikato Diocesan School, and Rangi Ruru Girls School, with remaining spots to be determined through repechages.
The Girls Under 16 Eight event proved to be tightly contested, with St Margaret’s College, Waikato Diocesan School, Christchurch Girls’ High School, and Auckland Diocesan all emerging as early contenders. The closely matched times suggest a thrilling race is in store.
The Boys Under 17 Double Sculls delivered a particularly exciting start to the competition. Crews posted times within a second of each other, but it was Burnside’s Jack Payne and Thomas Carey who ultimately crossed the line in the fastest time of .
The Girls Under 18 Single Sculls provided a fitting finale to the opening day. Cashmere High School’s Eleri Clare continued her school’s strong tradition in sculling, while Scout Phiskie of St Margaret’s College also impressed, positioning both as key contenders in the days ahead.
Christchurch Rowing Programs Gain Momentum
Beyond the on-water competition, the regatta highlighted the growing strength of rowing programs in the Christchurch region. Coaches Connor Fraher and Lisa Manson have been instrumental in expanding access to the sport, bringing athletes to Maadi not only from Hillmorton High School, but also from Te Aratai College, Rolleston College, and Lincoln High School – the latter returning to the competition for the first time since .
Hillmorton High School’s participation is particularly noteworthy, representing a story of steady growth. Lisa Manson, a teacher at the school, has been pivotal in building the program from a minor group of just four Year 9 rowers. Now, two of those original athletes are in Year 13 and competing at Maadi, a proud moment for both the athletes and the school.
The impact of the Emerging School Scholarship was also highlighted. According to Lisa Manson, the scholarship has been “huge,” allowing for increased access to essential equipment. We can now have four rowers on ergs at school at the same time rather than working in time slots. We’ve now also got row suits for our athletes, they can proudly wear their school colours and look the part out on the water. It’s also helped significantly with the cost of getting to Maadi,”
she shared.
The school’s principal is expected to attend , further demonstrating the growing profile of rowing within Hillmorton High School. Manson noted that a list of students keen to learn to row is already growing, suggesting a promising future for the program.
Seamless Opening Day
The success of the opening day was also attributed to the dedication of more than 80 volunteers. With ideal conditions and high-quality racing, the stage is set for another exciting day of competition at Lake Ruataniwha. The regatta promises to deliver thrilling races and showcase the talent of New Zealand’s top young rowers.