Big effort: Patrick Sharp pushes ahead.
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With only two weeks until the Rowing Victoria State Championships the competition at the Nagambie Regatta was fierce.
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The young scullers from Shepparton Rowing Club stepped up to the challenges on the second day of competition, giving it their all.
In the lead: James Eldred and Emily Waller stay out in front.
Shepparton’s Patrick Sharp had a great morning, qualifying for the final of the C-grade single scull after finishing first in his heat.
The final was faster than the heats, with only a boat length between the field at the halfway mark of the 1000m course.
The sculler from Albert Park South Melbourne upped his rating and steamed ahead.
Sharp pushed himself to the head of the chasing pack, crossing the line only a metre behind the winner.
Sharp was ecstatic, smashing his personal best time in a race.
Looking strong on the water: Tom Nalder and Patrick Sharp.
Sharp stroked the double with teammate Tom Nalder.
This was the first time they had rowed together and they enjoyed an astonishing win in their heat.
The final was a tough race and it looked like third place for the crew from Shepparton until the last 50m when it came home strong to finish second.
Happy days: Emily Belcher is excited to make the final.
Nalder is learning and gaining experience with every race.
He finished second in the under-15 single scull and narrowly missed a place in the final of the C-grade single.
Coach John Darbyshire was happy with the achievements on the water and said “training will be increased this week with focus on quick starts before we race at Ballarat”.
Emily Belcher and Emily Waller recorded similar times in separate heats of the C-grade single, with Belcher progressing and Waller narrowly missing out.
Belcher steered off course — hitting lane buoys and losing time — in the final, leaving her in fifth place, with room to improve before the state titles.
In a mixed double, Waller teamed with James Eldred, who returned to rowing after taking a break to complete his VCE studies.
The pair had a great start, but couldn’t keep up the pace, ending up outclassed by the other crews.
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