Scotch College

Drew Ginn brings King's Cup home

Stroked by Drew Ginn (’92), the Victorian VIII scored a definitive win in the King’s Cup on the final day of the Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington, Tasmania earlier this year. Backed up by Cameron McKenzie McHarg (’98) in the 5 seat, the Victorian crew stayed with titleholders, Western Australia, through the first 500 metres and then powered away in the middle stages of the race to win by 5.09 seconds in the very fast time of 5 min 26.3 seconds and return the King’s Cup to Victoria for the first time since 2003.

Scotch was well represented in the Victorian team, with Sandy Machin (’04), Simon Booth (’05), James Adams (’05) and Angus Tyers (’05) all in the Victorian Youth VIII that won a bronze medal. Unfortunately, Chris Riddell (’03) had to pull out of the crew due to injury. In the Penrith Cup for lightweight fours, old boys Tim Smith ’00) and Howard Sharp (’00) also secured selection for Victoria.

Earlier in the regatta, Cam McKenzie-McHarg with his partner James Marburg turned on a fine performance to win the champion coxless pair event for the first time, with the crew of Drew Ginn and Duncan Free in second place.

Other old Scotch Collegians to figure prominently in the regatta included Nick Mitchell (’03), Tom Nickson (’03), Tom Abramowski (’05) and Alex Scharp (’05). The regatta was under the control of referee Andy Guerin (’73). There was a keen battle between coaches, with David Douglas (’65) coaching the Melbourne Girls’ Grammar 1st VIII and his son, Robert (’93), coaching the St Catherine’s 1st VIII. In the final, St Catherine’s finished fourth and Melbourne Grammar fifth.