Mollie Gibson was in superb form at Lake Ruataniwha, picking up gold in the women’s single sculls. Photo supplied.Ashburton rowers were right in the thick of the action at last weekend’s Canterbury Championships on Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel.

In a combined effort between school squads and club rowers, the entire contingent walked away with five gold medals for their efforts as well as two silver medals and four of the bronze variety.

Racing in hot conditions there was a good mix of the familiar faces and some new ones on the water – netting good results all round.

Rowing dynamo Veronica Wall led the charge on what must be one of her favourite pieces of water, winning not only the Under 19 Women’s Single Sculls but also the open women’s event as well.

She went close to the perfect weekend but in the open women’s double sculls with Grace Wilson, but had to settle for second – beaten by New Zealand representatives Nicola Baker and Georgia Keech, who row out of the Central Rowing Performance Centre.

Mollie Gibson was in solid form as well winning gold in the Under 17 Women’s Single Sculls – winning her final by 20 seconds.

Matthew Rae and Haxby Hefford were in on the action too, winning gold in the Men’s Club Double Sculls while Hefford picked up bronze in the Under 19 Men’s Single Sculls.

Wyatt Burrows, Michael Wall, Jarred Matson and Gerard Wall claimed the fifth gold of the championship when they won the Men’s Intermediate Coxed Quad Sculls.

Burrows and Michael Wall also picked up a silver in the men’s intermediate double sculls.

Other bronze medals went to Charlotte Cox in the women’s masters single sculls while the women’s open coxless quad sculls team of Wilson, Fran Connelly-Whyte and Olivia and Mollie Gibson also picked up bronze.

All counted the contingent made 23 A finals over the course of the weekend – another incredible effort which puts them in good stead for the upcoming South Island Championships next weekend which will be held back on Lake Ruataniwha.

Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 18 January 2018