Out and about on finals day at Maadi
A 1947 Maadi bronze medallist and the All Blacks coach were among those at Maadi. The Waikato Independent asked supporters what they enjoyed most about the regatta.
Among the competitors and supporters at Maadi this year were a 1947 Maadi Bronze medallist winner and the All Blacks coach. The Waikato Independent asked those at the regatta what they enjoyed the most.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen and his wife Natasha Hansen attended their first Maadi this year. He came to support his step-daughter Riley Marshall, who won a silver medal for St Margaret’s College in the Girls U15 octuple sculls.
When asked what they enjoyed the most, Natasha said: “The St Margaret’s family, the culture, the cameraderie and the competitions. We both love sport. So coming here and [seeing] the whole culture, watching the girls faces, making finals, it’s just fabulous and wonderful to be a part of.”
Dunstan High School students, from central Otago, Macaela Turfus and Sydney Cook won silver in the girls’ U18 lightweight double scull. Macaela also won Gold in the girls U17 double skull race. So what has been most enjoyable?
Macaela: “Achieving your goals and making all your hard work pay off, and getting medals. Getting closer to your crew members and forming relationships with them. We’re super proud [to be from Dunstan High], people keep asking us where we’re from and they still don’t know once we’ve answered them. Getting medals has put [our school’s] name out there.”
Sydney: “Making sure all the hard work is paid off, getting all the awards and results. Getting to be a part of such a big competition, and really seeing how you sit in New Zealand. Because you race against everyone and it’s such a great thing. We have a whole town supporting us [in] what we’re doing up here, and it’s really great to have such a tight community supporting us.”
Don Rennie participated in the first ever Maadi in 1947 in Wanganui. He represented Wanganui Technical College and won a Bronze medal in the U18 eights race.
“[I]never imagined it was going to grow like this. It is just unbelievable to me. We raced on the Wanganui River, one race between six or seven schools. To think it has grown to this is unbelievable. Our school got to row in the original Maadi eight that the army brought back from Maadi before they started the cup.
“The boat was so heavy we had to get help to get it out of the water. When I see these girls carry the eight boat over their shoulder it’s just unbelievable its grown like that. We’ve had so much international success in rowing, that it’s become such an attractive thing for young people. It’s a team sport, there’s no prima donnas in rowing, you’re either pulling your weight or you’re not in the crew.”
Hundreds of families came out to support those competing in Maadi this year. Rachel Heeney came out to support with her partner Peter Shepherd and daughter Amelie Heeney.
Rachel said enjoyment came from “the positive atmosphere and seeing all of the schools and all the communities come together to celebrate all the teams. You support your school first, but secondly you just support everyone.”
