Sinclair rules in sculling contest

BENDIGO teenager Andrew Sinclair sculled to victory in the Cambridge Cup at Saturday’s finale to the Bendigo Rowing Club’s regatta on Lake Weeroona.Sinclair, 17, became the first hometown rower in many years to win the blue riband event.Just one second separated the winner and runner-up at the end of the 480m sprint.“This win is one of my best so far,’’ Sinclair said before last night’s training session at Lake Weeroona.“It was my first A grade race, and I was up against the Day brothers from Nagambie, Tim and Will, who are really strong competitors.’’Sinclair was able to surge clear in the last 100m of the duel.“Fitness was an area I worked on a lot over winter.’’The Year 11 student at Bendigo Senior Secondary College will be on the water at Carrum this Saturday for the MTC time trials (4km).“The time trials are part of the Victorian Institute of Sport’s talent identification program.’’Sinclair will be at Caulfield Grammar on Sunday to contest the Australian ergo championships.A goal for this summer is to compete in the lightweight (72¹/₂ kg) single scull at the national rowing championships in March.Bendigo Rowing Club captain Wynstan Gilbert said the Cambridge Cup race was an exciting finale to a regatta which drew more than 120 competitors.“Andrew’s performance at his first attempt in the Cambridge Cup was outstanding,’’ Gilbert said.The young sculler had spent many hours training on Lake Weeroona, and in the gym.Sinclair’s joint coaches are Neville Smith and Wynstan Gilbert.A stroke for the state championship-winning year 9, 10 and under-19 crews from Bendigo in recent years, Sinclair took on the single scull discipline last year.“Andrew has worked really hard on technique, and building up strength,’’ Gilbert said.“The Cup final was closely-fought all the way, but Andrew was able to power away at the finish.’’Gilbert said support from the banks at Lake Weeroona played a big part for Bendigo’s crews.The crew of Nicole Sharman, Krysta Ellul, Alex Conway, Katie Nash, and cox Scott Balmer won the female C grade coxed quad final.Bendigo’s line-up of cox Bobbie Pappin, Hayden Gamboni, Josh McPherson, James McPherson and Tom Edwards won the D grade coxed quad scull.Many rowers will now prepared for the Head of the Barwon to be contested in early November at Geelong, and then for the return of Dimboola’s regatta on November 21 and 22 in Horsham.