Final Tour Day

Today was our final day on tour,

And for all it was bitter sweet. They had the excitement of racing in the Windemere cup but the sadness of finishing such a great tour.

It was an early start as we headed down to the UW for the regatta. The regatta had a very different feel from anything else the girls have experienced. It is seen as more of an exhibition of rowing and a chance to showcase some top level crews across the USA and internationally then a formal regatta. The whole regatta is used as a curtain raiser to the 4 hour parade of boats and yachts to signify the opening of the boating season in North America. The regatta had a great feel and buzz to it. Everyone was there to have good time from both a spectators point of view and the competitors.

The regatta is structured as a one race final with races leaving every 2 minutes. Our first crew was the quad and they had the worst lane (by a long way) which meant that all the other crews in there race where swept across by the wind in front of them pushing our girls almost off the course. In saying this the girls rowed very well and all the girls said it was the best they had felt the boat move. A special mention to Yvette who was told right before the race at the Cox meeting that "being cox in a bow riding quad in the wind from an outside lane is the hardest place to be in the entire regatta", so she did well just to steer the boat across the line let alone tell the crew what they were doing.
The eight followed 2 minutes later and they drew a far better lane. However a boat malfunction in seat 6 (the seat came off) at the start of the race put our girls about a boat length behind all the other crews. From this point the girls did amazingly well to get back and come 3rd almost taking 2nd. The crew flew past to other crews after there seat malfunction was fixed so they also rowed a very good race. Well done to all.

We are flying out of Vancouver at 11:40 pm Saturday night and will arrive at Sydney at 8:10am. From here the girls have decided to go to the athletics carnival once they arrive. It would be a great help if any parents are at the airport and are willing to transport our girls out to homebush for the carnival.

This tour has been a fantastic opportunity for the girls and also the staff. The girls have had some amazing experiences and have really left there mark at the two regatta's they participated at. They have been excellent ambassadors of Pymble and in many cases Australia as well. You should all be very proud of them on some excellent results in rowing. The girls have formed some great relationships abroad and have strengthened alot of the friendships amongst the team. Personally I found the tour an absolute delight. I have had the chance to view some fantastic schools and sports programs as well as meet some very interesting people and future contacts for the benefit of the College. Both Mark and Gill have been amazed at how much all the girls skill, stamina and team work has improved over the tour.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mrs V. Waters, Mrs J. Shaw and Mr C. Anderson who without there approval and support this tour would not have been such a success.  Also a special mention to Kelli Jane Stapp who also helped with the preparation of the tour as well.

As well a big thank you to all the parents for your support.
BUT
Most all to the girls who really made the tour an amazing trip for all involved, Thank you and see you at the airport.

Tom