NSW Sprint Championships – 3 December 2023 - Bronze – Bronze – Bronze

12 members of our racing squad travelled to the Sydney International Regatta Course at Penrith to compete over 500 metres for the State Sprint Championships. Last year, Endeavour picked up 2 gold medals at this regatta, but this year our girls were unable to defend their titles with injury and illness putting two of our contenders out of operation. Could their team-mates step up?

The morning’s races were run in perfect conditions with a mild breeze and water like a millpond. First to race was Diana Trescott in the Womens Masters Sculls. Diana was the back marker off 11 seconds but she fought her way through the field to earn a bronze medal only 3.47 seconds behind first. Endeavour crews competing in Womens Masters Quad and Mens Masters Double followed. They looked good but missed out on medals. 

After lunch the wind picked up giving less favourable racing conditions. Two Endeavour crews started in the Womens Masters Double. Katrina Whiteley and Diana Trescott were the first to go but their handicap was only 3 seconds over the younger crews. Katrina and Diana held the lead for most of the race before 2 crews managed to pass them in the last 100 metres. A second bronze for Endeavour, with our second crew just missing a medal in fourth place.

Our last race of the day was for the crew of Tony Chadwick, Owen Redhead, Chris Bonomini and Alex Brueton in the Mens Masters Quad Scull. With a handicap of 27 seconds in a strong following breeze, a medal looked unlikely. In the closing stages of the race, the commentator called them as a distinct chance as they mowed down their opponents but the line was too close and they came in third by only 2.81 seconds. If the breeze had been blowing in the opposite direction their result may well have been better than bronze. Our second crew in this event were unable to perform to their potential as a gate came open in the start and they lost a blade. Oh well – mark it down to experience.