Scotch College

Old Scotch rowers’ strong performances

Old Boys achieved great results rowing against the world’s best

Words: DR NEIL STRATHMORE

Will Lockwood (‘06), right, won silver in the Australian coxed pair

Photo: Rowing Australia

Following Stuart Sim’s gold in the junior men’s coxed IV at the start of August, Old Scotch Boys performed extremely well at the (senior) world championships at Bled, Slovenia.

Including Joshua Booth (‘08) in the men’s VIII, Drew Ginn (‘92) in the coxless IV, William Lockwood (‘06) in the coxed pair, and Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (‘98) in the coxless pair. Josh Booth raced in the three seat of the men’s VIII. This crew had a very good regatta, and the squad will be setting their sights on improvement and an Olympic medal in London. In the A final, Germany cleared away from the field by around two seconds – it was another win by the dominant crew of the past few years. Great Britain, desperate for a home Olympic gold, will hunt them relentlessly over the next 12 months. Australia was in third place for much of the race, before being overhauled by Canada in the final few hundred metres. The photograph shows the Australian bow (number 1) around a metre away from the bronze medal position. This was a very strong performance by a developing crew, in an event that is targeted by the strongest nations.

Drew Ginn, racing in the coxless IV, won bronze behind Greece and Great Britain. Having lost Duncan Free, Drew Ginn’s Olympic gold-winning teammate from Beijing to a broken leg, this crew made improvements throughout the campaign and achieved a fantastic result.  

Will Lockwood, racing in the coxed pair, won the silver medal. The crew raced strongly, leading through the race until just after the 1500 metre mark. A strong finishing burst saw the Australian crew win the silver by around two seconds. Cameron McKenzie-McHarg raced in the coxless pair and achieved seventh place. The crew was last at the 1000 metre mark before rowing through the field and claiming a place at next year’s Olympics. GS