MEDIA alert - 2024 HEAD OF THE YARRA Saturday November 23rd
2024 Event.
Post Race Media
Fastest Crew Melbourne Rowing Club Men’s E
Jo Cripps- Cox of the Course - Shortest Line - In the Breast Cancer Awareness Crew - Crew 160, Jo Cripps was a very last minute change. She is from Tablelands Country Rowing Club. She coxed them for race #16, and then took the tram back and coxed Cairns instead of Kylie. Pedder.
Jo Cripps Standing in for Kylie Pedder to cox the Breast Cancer Awareness Crew no. 160.
Download Breast Cancer Crew Photo
RESULTS OF 63rd HEAD OF THE YARRA – SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23rd 2024
TOO HOT FOR HOTY!
Melbourne's beautiful Yarra River was the scene of today's epic boat race, with some 2200 rowers from all over Australia and New Zealand ready to compete in 28 categories from schoolgirls to octogenarians.
The gruelling 8km course starts at historic Boathouse Drive in the heart of the city, passes the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne's sporting precinct and Herring Island, under 11 bridges, along the winding course and around the perilous Big Bend to finish at Riverside Park in Hawthorn. Conditions were demanding with a northerly wind and temperatures climbing to 36 degtrees.
Unfortunately, by 1.50pm, temperatures were so high that race officials made the difficult but very responsible decision to suspend racing .
At that stage 210 crews out of 243 had completed the course, including the school age crews, the oldest Masters crews and the Para crews who started early in the day.
The fastest crew to finish the course officially was Melbourne Rowing Club Male Masters E, stroked by Matthew Harrison, in a time of 29 minutes 53 seconds. Fastest female crew was Mercantile Composite Female Masters A‐C, stroked by Robyn Selby Smith in 31:53. The fastest mixed crew was Adelaide Uni Mixed Masters D, stroked by Bill Natt, in 30:50. These were excellent times considering the demanding conditions.
Following the heat cancellation the, Male B Grade, and the Female and Male Open crews were not able to race or record an official time. Regrettably, these categories included the fastest crews in the race with seven athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the schoolgirl’s first eight it was the Uni of Queensland Club crew stroked by Nell Murphy that won the day in a quick time of 33:47.
In the oldest category, the I+ class (average age 75 years and up), winners were Melbourne Uni (I class) finishing in a time of 35:06. Within that category, the Melbourne composite K class Masters crew, average age 83 yrs, finished the course in 43:51 despite the hot and humid conditions.
Two Para 8 crews competed in a a mixed adaptive 8’s format for those with disability. ANU Composite crew,stroked by Stuart John, did a time of 41:45, ahead of the Community crew from NSW stroked by Jack Calderan in 43:11.
A special category, new this year, recognises the coxwain who steers the most efficient course. The winner was Jo Cripps, coxing the Cairns Composite crew, which was measured by GPS to have covered just 7.96km to complete the nominal 8km course. Jo Cripps was a very last minute change. She is from Tablelands Country Rowing Club. She coxed them for race #16, and then took the tram back and coxed Cairns instead of Kylie Pedder. Her second run on the course was superb!
Despite the disappointment of calling off the final races, thousands of competitors still celebrated in a carnival atmosphere at Riverside Park, next to Hawthorn Rowing Club, where cool drinks were more than welcome.
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For media enquiries
James Lyon jameslyonesq@gmail.com
Mobile 0432 228 698
Highlight Vision from Today’s event, Rights free Vision for media use. 23.11.24
Pre Race Media 2024
MEDIA ALERT 63RD ANNUAL HEAD OF THE YARRA
On Saturday 23rd November a record entry of 2,200 athletes in field of 250 rowing eights will complete over 8kms, on the Yarra River, for title of fastest crew in the 2024 Head of the Yarra. The race is an annual Yarra River spectacle running the entire 8 kms from the City to Hawthorn.
Racing starts at 9am. and finishes around 3pm. when the fastest category of elite crews, including our many of Australia’s Paris Olympic squad, cross the finish line at Hawthorn. The race finish carnival in the Yarra Bank Reserve Creswick St Hawthorn, a rowing calendar favourite, starts around 10.00am. It is held amidst spectators, rowers, supporters and the entire fleet of 250 boats that are racked in the parklands at the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
The Yarra River is closed for the entire race but there are wonderful spectator vantage points along the length of the Yarra’s banks to Hawthorn. All crews rack their boats in the parklands in Hawthorn watching all the live action, on the Big Screen live-site in the parklands.
This year 28 classes of club crews from all over Australia and New Zealand will make up the race field.
In the Men’s and Women’s Open categories there is a fierce interstate rivalry for club supremacy with the Sydney Rowing Club men the current fastest ahead of Melbourne University, while in the Women’s Open, Melbourne University Women are currently champions, ahead of Sydney Rowing Club. Race records are set to tumble on the back end of the Olympics with strong representation of world-class athletes from all over Australia and New Zealand racing in their home club eights.
The race includes categories for school, club, elite, para and masters’ eights with the oldest category of Masters K (average age 83 yrs. plus) including a Sydney & Melbourne crew rivalry.
Join in the activity from your favourite spot along the Yarra Banks from the City to Hawthorn and livestream the race broadcast available on our website from 8.30am onwards at headoftheyarra.com.
Further Enquiries:
Contact: James Lyon HRC Mobile 0432 228 698.
Comprehensive race details available at headoftheyarra.com
Newsroom Chiefs of Staff Note:
Race results will be posted on website along with packaged broadcast race highlights for media use by 3.30pm Saturday November 23rd at https://headoftheyarra.com/media
Ends.
Key Facts – Head of the Yarra
· Annual time-trial for Rowing 8’s over 8 km Yarra course from City of Melbourne to Hawthorn Rowing Club.
· First held in 1957 following rowing’s success in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and the Australian Men’s 8 bronze medal win.
· One of three Classic Head races recognized world-wide by the global rowing fraternity; The Tideway Head on the Thames in London (March), The Head of the Charles in Boston (October), and The Head of the Yarra in Melbourne (November)
· Run by 200 volunteers associated with the Hawthorn Rowing Club, race hosts.
· The race has 31 Categories of both male and female athletes all competing over the same time-trial course within their own category sections.
· Racing begins around 9am with School Categories, followed by Oldest to Youngest Masters categories, Para Crews around midday, followed by Club Crews, with the elite athletes Open Section on the water around 2.00pm.
· The 2024 Race has an entry of 250 crews, 2200 athletes from all over Australia & New Zealand.
· The Yarra River is closed for the race with all crews racing upstream across the entire width of the Yarra, navigating the 11 Bridges over the winding 8km river course to Hawthorn.
· The Head of the Yarra is called “the Coxswain’s race” . The smallest member of each crew steers the boat over the shortest and best line, motivates their crew to maintain rhythm and form for best times, while all the time avoiding boat clashes and incidents along the course for best ultimate race times.
· Sydney Rowing Club are current race champions completing the 2023 race in 26.32.11 mins.
· Melbourne University are current Women’s Champions completing the 2023 race in 29.49.01, 51 seconds ahead of Sydney Rowing Club Women.
· The Race Record was set in 2015 by Melbourne University Composite (Hookway) Men’s 8, on a strong incoming tide - 24.40.19. min.
· The Fastest Women’s time again in same year 2015, is 27.05.51 min. held by Mercantile Rowing Club (Cleary).
· The race attracts crews from all over Australia, New Zealand and oftentimes further afar. Prior races have included crews from Japan, England (Cambridge), and the USA.
· 75% of the crews come from places outside Victoria. Logistics of boat trailers coming across the Nullarbor from WA, from as far North as Cairns and across the Bass Strait from Tasmania are juggling acts for all clubs and the race host to accommodate.
· The Head of the Yarra website https://headoftheyarra.com gives access to a wealth of detail on the race.
· The 2024 race will be live streamed here; https://headoftheyarra.com/webcast
· This short video helps to explain the race https://youtu.be/AQRiNHeBHMM
· This short video is the 2024 race promotion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD3im4pi0FU
We welcome your interest in the Head of the Yarra – Australia’s Rowing Classic
2023 Head of the Yarra - Post Race Media Release.
RESULTS OF 62 HEAD OF THE YARRA – SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH 2023.
SYDNEY TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THE YARRA RIVER - AGAIN
The Yarra River was a spectacle today with the return of the Annual Head of The Yarra, first run in 1957. The race has not run since 2019 due to Covid and the floods of 2022.
Two and a half thousand rowers from all over Australia and New Zealand raced in rowing eights over the 8km course from the City to Hawthorn. The Yarra became the focal point for Melbourne with thousands of spectators lining its banks and joining in the finish carnival celebrations in the parklands of the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
Club crews representing every state, and New Zealand made the pilgrimage to Melbourne. The annual classic saw crews of all ability test their skill against the country’s best for fastest time over the gruelling 8km Yarra course.
It was the Sydney Rowing Club’s Men’s Eight stroked by Alex Nichol who took ownership of the Yarra rowing the course in a time of 26:32.11 min, 20 seconds ahead of locals, Melbourne University stroked by Nick Smith (26:52.51) and Mercantile stroked by Oliver Scazlzo (27.19.56) in third place after 8.0 km of very close racing.
In the elite Women’s Eights, the Melbourne University Boat Club crew stroked by Zara Lavery took line honors in a time of (29:49.01) ahead of the Sydney Crew stroked by Katharine Mason (30:40.96) with the Mercantile crew stroked by Sophie Reinehr (31:37.62) in third place.
In the schoolboys first Eights section, Xavier College (28:16:46) stroked by Harry Glass ahead of Gregory Terrace (28.32.43). In the Schoolgirl first eight it was the University of Queensland’s schoolgirls crew stroked by Ava Mulholland that won the day in a quick time of (33:24:69)
Two K class Masters crews (Aged 83 yrs ) plus proved longevity comes from lifelong commitment to the sport. The Sydney based North Shore crew stroked by John James rowed the course in a masters adjusted time of 33.18.60 , 51 seconds ahead of their Melbourne rivals the crew stroked by 84-year-old Ray Denis with the oldest competitor 95-year-old Don Christie on board. Don rowed in his first Head of the Yarr way back in 1957.
The ANU Para 8 a mixed adaptive 8’s format for those with disability. Stroked by Rebecca Jones and rowing the course in time of (38:18) 10 seconds ahead of the Community/Shell Harbour crew stroked by Fiona Jackson.
The race attracted thousands of spectators along the full length of the Yarra course. A large crowd congregated amongst the crews and boats for the trophy presentations and the post-race carnival at the finish in the Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn.
Race vision for news media is available for download below.
Video is of the Elite Crew finishing at Hawthorn ( from Race broadcast). Sydney first in vision (blue Tops) Melbourne Uni Second (white tops) and Mercantile 3rd (Red & White tops).
Rights free images above taken by our club photographers above may be used by crediting Hawthorn Rowing Club
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For media enquiries
Pat Freeland-Small HawthornCaptain@gmail.com;
Mobile 0418 63 1862
Full Race results are available at this link
Pre Race Media 2023
Download 2023 Pre race media release here
PRE RACE MEDIA ALERT - 62nd ANNUAL HEAD OF THE YARRA
On Saturday 25th November 2,500 rowers in over 270 rowing eights will complete over 8kms, on the Yarra River, for title of fastest crew in the 2023 Head of the Yarra.
The race is a Yarra River spectacle running the entire length of the river from the City to Hawthorn. Racing starts at 9.00 a.m. and finishes around 2.15 p.m. when the fastest category of elite crews will cross the finish line at Hawthorn.
The race finish carnival in the Yarra Bank Reserve Creswick St Hawthorn is a rowing calendar favourite. It is held amidst 10,000 spectators, rowers, supporters and the entire fleet of 270 boats which are racked in the parklands around the Hawthorn Rowing Club. The river is closed for the entire race, so after rocking in a boat for 8 km, the crews rack their boats and rock in the parklands for the race finish carnival and to watch all the action on the Big Screen live-site in the park.
This year 31 classes of club crews from all over Australia and NZ will make up the race field.
In the Men’s Open category the club to watch will be Sydney, the current Head of the Yarra Champions who took the silverware north beating long-term local rivals Melbourne University and Mercantile in the last encounter. With a field of 15 elite men’s club crews, from across Australia and New Zealand, the Head of The Yarra record time is well and truly on the line.
The race includes categories for school, club, elite, para and masters’ eights with the oldest category of Masters K (average age 83 yrs. plus) including a Sydney & Melbourne crew rivalry, - the Melbourne crew containing the oldest competitor- the 95 years young Don Christie who rowed in the first Head of the Yarra way back in 1957.
Join in the activity from your favourite spot along the Yarra Banks from the City to Hawthorn and livestream the race broadcast anchored by Peter Landy available on our website from 10.00am onwards at headoftheyarra.com.
Further Enquiries:
Contact: Pat Freeland-Small HRC Vice Captain Mobile 0418 63 1862
Comprehensive race details available at headoftheyarra.com
Newsroom Chiefs of Staff Note:
Race results will be posted on website along with packaged broadcast race highlights for media use by 3.30pm Saturday November 25th at https://headoftheyarra.com/media
Ends.
POST RACE MEDIA
THESE RESOURCES WILL APPEAR HERE FROM 3.30PM SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH:
POST RACE MEDIA RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
FULL CREW RESULTS BY CATEGORY
RIGHTS FREE PHOTOGRAPHY (Credit Hawthorn Rowing Club)
RIGHTS FREE RACE VIDEO MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS (Credit : HEAD OF THE YARRA TV)
PRIOR YEAR RACES
2019 Head of the Yarra Media
1. POsT-RACE MEDIA
Results of 61ST HEAD OF THE YARRA – Saturday November 30th 2019.
Sydney takes Ownership of the Yarra River
2019 Fastest Crew Sydney Rowing Club (25:41:08)
Two and a half thousand rowers from all over Australia racing in rowing eights created a marvelous spectacle today on the Yarra River as they raced from Birrarung Marr to Hawthorn Rowing Club in the annual Head of the Yarra. Thousands of spectators lined the Yarra banks and joined in the finish carnival celebrations in the parklands of the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
Club crews representing every state, New Zealand and Japan made the pilgrimage to Melbourne. The annual classic saw crews of all ability test their skill against the country’s best for fastest time over the grueling 8km Yarra course.
It was the Sydney Rowing Club’s Men’s Eight stroked by Alex Nichol and superbly coxed by Kendall Brodie who took ownership of the Yarra rowing the course in a time of 25:41.08 min, 12 seconds ahead of locals, Melbourne University stroked by Rohan Lavery (25:53:18) and Sydney University stroke by Will O’Shannessy (26:02.08) in third place after 8.0 km of very close racing.
In the elite Women’s Eights, the Melbourne University Boat Club crew stroked by Katherine Michelmore took line honors in a time of (29:28:09) ahead of the Queensland University crew stroked by Ria Thompson (29:36:16) with the Mercantile Women’s Eight stroked by Sky Froebel (29:53.69) in third place.
In the schoolboys first Eights section, Scotch College (28:42:22) stroked by James Isles continued its dominance over recent years 20 seconds ahead of the Sydney’s Newington College stroked by Luka Stefanovic( (29.02.54).
SCHOOLBOY WINNERS SCOTCH COLLEGE
The Schoolgirl first eights saw a very strong field of crews from all around Australia. It was the Sydney Rowing Club schoolgirls crew stroked by Eliza Dunlop that won the day (33:40:52), eighteen seconds ahead of last year’s winners Melbourne Girls Grammar (33:58:18) stroked by Bea Chirnside
SCHOOLGIRL WINNERS SYDNEY ROWING CLUB
Two crews of Octogenarians proved longevity comes from lifelong commitment to the sport. The Sydney based crew stroked by 80-year-old Jon Mitchell (Drommoyne) rowed the course in 42:50:99 , 45 seconds ahead of their Melbourne rivals the crew stroked by 80-year-old Ray Denis with the oldest competitor 91-year-old Don Christie on board.
91 year Old Don Christie Member of the Melbourne OCTOGENARIAN 8.
The NSW Institute of Sport took out the Para8’s, a mixed adaptive 8’s format for those with disability. Stroked by James Talbot and rowing the course in a very fast time of (32:15:55) they raise our spirits for good results in para rowing in 2020.
The race attracted thousands of spectators along the full length of the Yarra course. A crowd of 10,000 congregated amongst the crews and boats for the trophy presentations and the post-race carnival at the finish in the Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn.
Race vision for news media is available for download at <HERE>
Rights free images taken by our club photographers are <HERE> for download.
Ends…..
For media enquiries
Pat Freeland-Small HawthornCaptain@gmail.com;
Mobile 0418 63 1862
POST RACE MEDIA RELEASE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD <HERE>
FULL CREW RESULTS BY TIME <HERE>
FULL CREW RESULTS BY CATEGORY <HERE>
RIGHTS FREE PHOTOGRAPHY (Credit Hawthorn Rowing Club) <HERE>
RIGHTS FREE RACE VIDEO MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS (Credit : Slingard Studios) <HERE>
01:15 Sec Pre Race preparations
20:33 Sec Oldest Competitor Don Christie - 91 Years
50: 1.04Min Sec First Crews Away
1.06 - 1:10 Min Sec Oldest Crew Away
1.25 -> Drone Vision of Crews and Melbourne Skyline
2:06- 2:42 Min Sec Winning Crew Sydney in action.
2. PRE RACE MEDIA ALERT - 26 NOVEMBER 2019
<Download Pre-Race Media Alert - November 2019>
61ST ANNUAL HEAD OF THE YARRA – Saturday November 30th 2019.
Race Record Entry for Australia’s Rowing Favorite.
On Saturday 30th November, the largest ever contingent of rowers in an Australian rowing race – 2,500 competitors in over 270 rowing eights will complete over 8kms, on the Yarra River, for title as fastest crew in the 2019 Head of the Yarra.
Depite a new race record entry cap of 270 crews this year, it appears the first race was to the start line. Entry has been forced to close very early (75 days prior to race) due to the enormous growth in interest amongst Australian’s rowers in this great race.
The race is a Yarra River spectacle running over the entire length of the river. Racing starts at 9.00 a.m. and finishes around 3.00 p.m. when the fastest category of crews will cross the finish line at Hawthorn.
Commencing in the heart of Melbourne, the race culminates at the Bridge Road bridge in Hawthorn. The race finish carnival is a rowing calendar favorite held amidst 10,000 spectators, rowers, supporters and the entire fleet of 270 boats which are racked in the Yarra-Bank reserve. The river is closed to downstream traffic, so after rocking in a boat for 8 km, crews rock in the park with a tipple or two of the local brewer’s produce.
This year 31 classes of club crews from all over Australia, NZ and from as far away as Japan, will make up the race field.
In the Men’s Open category clubs to watch include Sydney, last year’s winners, who took the silverware north beating long-term local rivals Melbourne University and Mercantile.
In the Open Women’s’ section, three crews that finished within a slim five-second margin of each other last year; Mercantile, Melbourne University and the University of Queensland, will all have a score to settle.
In the Schoolboys’ section, Scotch College will aim to defend its title again up against last year’s challengers both Sydney and Hutchins (Hobart).
In the Schoolgirls’ section interest will be on the speed of many newcomers including Friends School (Hobart), Canberra Girl’s Grammar and UTS up against previous race winner MLC who come with a strong contingent of crews.
The Club Section includes over 200 male, female and mixed crews, across many categories that include Para-athletes plus master’s male & female crews ranging across broad age categories from the minimum masters age of 27 years.
There are two male master’s crews, the senior citizens of the race, both with an average age over 80 years. One crew from Sydney (Drummoyne) and the other from Melbourne (Richmond/Banks), who may help to settle which of the two cities is Australia’s most “ livable" for sports fitness.
Further Enquiries:
For media enquiries or to arrange interviews and photos contact:
Pat Freeland-Small HawthornCaptain@gmail.com;
Mobile 0418 63 1862
Comprehensive race details available at <Website>
Crew and race section details are available <Here>
2019 Media Contact
Pat Freeland-Small Mob 0418 631862 Email HawthornCaptain@gmail.com
Assistance with Photos, crew interviews and on-water vision capture can be arranged.
Historical media Releases
The 2016 Media Release and Post-regatta Release.
The 2014 Media Release and Post-regatta Release.
View the 2014 Media Alert.
The Sunday Age (1 Dec 2013) ran an article and photograph. See their gallery of 14 photographs (while it's still available.)
Our 2013 post-regatta press release.