For the first time in living memory SUBC will boat three eights in the Riverview Gold Cup on Saturday 20th March. The three heats of the Cup have attracted 12 crews with three from SUBC, one from Sydney Rowing Club and all schools. The young alumni crew kicked off in Heat 1 at 10.45 am with competition from two of the best school eights, Shore and Kings. Heat 2 sees our lightweights mixing it with solid performers St Josephs and St Ignatius and our No 1 crew with Francis Hegerty, Mike Valli, Dan Burke, Al Gordon, Nick Hudson etc with take on Sydney and two o the weaker schools Scots and High.
Looks like a bid to keep the top schools away from the No 1 SUBC crew and this should contribute to a great final.
SUBC won the Gold Cup in 2003 for the first time since 1987 and while we won a trifecta in 72, 74 and 76 a win in 2004 would be our first double in this event in a long long time ? possibly our first ever.
The Gold Cup has a certain prestige in NSW rowing and a win on this course is always remembered fondly. This year members of the 1976 winning crew coached by John Welch will be having a re-union on the weekend of the Gold Cup.
The SUBC crews and college crews and other members of SUBC will be enjoying drinks and a barbecue on the SUBC pontoon after the Gold Cup and into the evening. Racing finishes at 3.20 pm and the pontoon party gets under way soon after. All supporters and rowers welcome. The photo attached shows stroke Francis Hegerty after winning the 2003 Gold Cup.