Blue skidoo, we can too
Queen Margaret College are looking to take out this year’s mascot competition with cox Sofia Udovenko doubling as a childhood favourite.
This week at Maadi, Queen Margaret College’s Sofia Udovenko is leading a double life.
Her identities? Cox by day, mascot also by day.
Udovenko spends around 40 minutes a day wandering around the boat park dressed as Blue from hit children’s show Blue’s Clues.
As a mascot, she has to try to get the attention of officials and AON in the hope of taking home the award for best mascot at the regatta.
And just like the other competition on the water, this one is serious.
Udovenko is one of many mascots meandering around the Maadi arena this year, and sees the mascots of Craighead Diocesan and Baradene as real threats.
“At the parade I saw that crocodile for [Craighead] and Baradene’s bear, so I’ve got some competition.”
After a team discussion about who would give them the best chance, Udovenko’s enthusiasm for the school saw her thrust into the role.
“We kind of all talked about who would be the mascot and it was decided that I would do it just because I have a lot of school spirit,” she said.
In her daily 40 minutes of bringing the little blue dog to existence, Udovenko strolls around the tents and boat park, helps her crew with gear and “just dances around.”
It seems she is doing the job well, judging by the positive reaction from the Maadi crowd.
“[I get] a lot of ‘wait, what’s that?’ and ‘can I get a photo’,” she said.
But it’s not all good, with her vision being somewhat impaired while in the suit – as she found out at the parade.
“It’s like having tunnel vision looking out of it, so I couldn’t really see that well,” she said.
“I was walking a little bit slow and the Otago boys were pushing me and shoving me. So that wasn’t fun.”
