Avonside lightweights on form for final
First placings in the heats and semis have seen Avonside U18 girls lightweight pairing of Ruby Norton and Giverny Penny head into Saturday’s finals hoping to improve on their fifth placing last year.
Do not underestimate the U18 lightweight double sculls from Avonside Girls’ High School.
Although they weigh in at under 59 kgs, the determined pair of Ruby Norton and Giverny Penny have qualified for the final of the U18 lightweight doubles at Maadi Cup.
The pair came first in both their heats and semifinals, with the finals being raced on Saturday morning.
Coach Rob McCraig is happy with the girls’ efforts.
“They’ve been doing really well and I’m glad they’ve stepped up to it.”
The girls came fifth at last year’s Maadi Cup at Lake Ruataniwha, so McCraig is looking for that one step better.
“It’s always cool to see them progress, and do better than last year. So definitely anything above fifth is an improvement, so that’s what we’re after.”
Ruby is also competing in the U16 and U17 lightweight double sculls and the U18 lightweight four. She has made three A finals.
McCraig, a former Hamilton Boys’ High School rower and Maadi Cup winner, said it has been an interesting transition going from rowing for an all boys’ school, to coaching an all girls’ crew.
“It’s crazy how different it is, guys rowing compared to girls rowing.”
He added, laughing: “Some of their conversations I don’t really like to be a part of, but most of it’s all really good and positive.”
He credits his experience as a Maadi rower in helping with his coaching skills.
“It helps I know the systems in place. I was brought up with a strong team culture [at HBHS], so being organised and on time. It’s quite cool to bring that in and it’s something that they can take into their every-day lives, such as work and school.”
McCraig said it has been a great experience so far.
“[I] didn’t appreciate what coaches did until I became one myself.”
