See the race report from the winning captain, Dave Carter and photos of the day…..
The success of the Three Mile Race (3MR) held on 8 September was the culmination of months of planning, organising and coaching. To commemorate Queensland’s last Kings Cup victory 80 years ago, along the same stretch of river from Pinkenba to Brett’s Wharf, there was a field of three VIII’s, dubbed Sun (Gold), Surf (Blue) and Sand (White). Two from Brisbane and one from the Gold Coast. Whilst the Sand crew in white-topped zooties were champions on the day, for all rowers, this race offered the exciting opportunity for a wide range of athletes to be coached by three Australian Olympic rowing legends.
From May, when the Kings Cup Training Centre started putting crews together, to taking those first strokes on Sunday, the three crews realised that they were part of something new but historic, and exciting but challenging. With the sound of 30 speedboats full of supporters in pursuit, the crews offered their best, aiming to put on a show. To have a race that allowed spectators to be so intimately involved, both on the water and on the banks, made this a memorable experience.
Under quadruple Olympian Bo Hanson, the Sand Crew’s strategy for rowing the 3-mile race on the Brisbane River was going to be slightly different to that of a 2km straight Olympic course. Adjustments had to be made to the rowing stroke, placing huge emphasis on the body swing, a clean “no splash” pick up at the catch, and early tap outs through all manner of wash provided by the Brisbane River. The maintenance of boat speed through any and all conditions became of paramount importance to us. To simulate the race conditions, we would often train in the late morning with real intensity as we knew that those 3 miles would be a mental battle from start to finish.
When the Umpire dropped their flag and the three crews scrambled out of the start, the race came down to which crew was ready to fully commit to their plan, their rhythm, and their coxswains. The Sand Crew blasted out of the start and quickly found their practiced rhythm, but the decisive blows came in the first mile. Steph Long in the coxes seat was formidable in the defence of her station and cut the perfect inside line onto the Hamilton reach. The Sand Crew pushed away from the other crews to convincingly take home the Eric Evers Memorial Trophy in 2019.
A massive thank you must go to the Kings Cup Supporters, the Regatta Hotel, the coaches and, most importantly, the instrumental organisers Randall Martin and Michael Toon. We sincerely thank Tattersalls Rowing Club and Michael Sparksmen who lent us the winning Hudson 8, affectionately referred to as the “Silver Bullet”. Thanks also to Richard Powell and UQBC for giving the boats a home, and the St Margaret’s “Tony Elliot” boatshed for allowing the crews access to Queensland’s Hamilton Heritage Course.
To the fantastic supporters who came and watched the race on the Sunday, we thank you. We hope you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the opportunity to part of this inaugural race. We now look forward to taking on the next challenge and taking the next step in our quest. It’s time to reclaim that elusive King’s Cup!
Cheers
The Inaugural Annual Queensland King’s Cup Trial Eights Match Race held 8 September 2019
David Carter
