australian masters Championships – 27th to 30th May 2021

The big wet in March that flooded the Penrith Lakes system carried blue-green algae from the back lakes into the rowing course. This contamination closed the course and resulted in the relocation of the Edward Trickett regatta to the Nepean River. Rowing Australia would not sanction the use of the Nepean course for championship masters racing and the national regatta was transferred to the West Lakes course in Adelaide. This drastic change of venue put an end to the plans of three Endeavour crews that were in training for the nationals leaving only three individuals to travel to South Australia. Only 3 - but they all won Gold!

Endeavour rowers started in 15 events for 3 wins, 3 seconds and a third, earning 3 gold medals, a silver and a bronze in championship races.

Lindy Nesbitt won both the Womens Lightweight G Single Sculls and the Womens G Double Sculls with Chris Brennan for 2 gold medals. Lindy also took a second place in Womens G Pair but unfortunately, with only two starters, a silver medal was not given.

Chris Brennan won with Lindy in Womens G Double Sculls, was second with Tess Fearon of Newcastle RC in Womens F Double Sculls and was third in Womens G Single Sculls for a gold, a silver and a bronze medal. Chris also took second in a mixed event.

Sean Donza represented NSW in the Mens Quad Scull. The interstate race was the closest in living memory with the first 5 crews bunched tightly together, all finishing within a space of less than 3 seconds. The NSW crew was fifth after being in close contention all the way down the course. Previously in the day, Sean had raced with two of his three state team-mates for a win in the Mens C Quad Sculls, his third gold in this event in three successive national championships.


Results:
Gold – Mens Masters C Quad Sculls – Sean Donza + composite.
Gold – Womens Masters G Double Sculls – Chris Brennan, Lindy Nesbitt.
Gold – Womens Masters Lightweight G Double Sculls – Lindy Nesbitt.
Silver – Womens Masters F Double Sculls – Chris Brennan + composite.
Bronze – Womens Masters G Single Sculls – Chris Brennan.
Third – Mixed Masters F-G Double Sculls – Chris Brennan + composite.

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