Veronica Wall . Photo supplied.Ashburton’s first podium placings of the 2019 New Zealand Rowing Championships have been achieved.

In Thursday’s action at Twizel’s Lake Ruataniwha, Veronica Wall formed part of the Southern Rowing Performance Centre women’s under-22 coxless quad which won gold, while Ged Wall was third in the men’s exhibition intermediate single sculls B final.

After wind caused some delays to racing on Wednesday’s second day, improved water and wind conditions met the first semi-finals and finals of the 2019 event on Thursday, and a full-on day on the water ensued.

But the weather again proved to be a problem on Friday morning, with action having to be put on hold.

Mayfield’s Emma Dyke, rowing in her Timaru Rowing Club colours but for the Southern RPC, was due to hit the water in the women’s premier pair with Grace Prendergast yesterday, while a number of other Ashburton Rowing Club members were also due to hit the water.

Haxby Hefford was due to compete in the men’s under-20 single sculls A final after finishing fourth in his semi-final, while Grace Wilson and Mollie Gibson were set to compete in the A final for the women’s under-20 double.

Hefford was also due to combine with Mike Wall in the men’s club double B final, while Gibson was in the women’s senior single B final.

Among the other races affected by the weather forcing the regatta to be put on hold yesterday morning were Hefford and Ged Wall’s row in the men’s under-19 double sculls heat, and Gibson and Emma Stagg, and Aidan Elvines and Grace Adams’ women’s under-19 double sculls heat.

Veronica Wall’s under-22 single scull final was another that had been scheduled to hit the water yesterday morning, followed by the women’s premier double sculls final yesterday afternoon with Southern RPC crew-mate Laura Glen.

The duo won their heat, while Wall was second in her under-22 single scull heat.

The regatta was put on hold until 12.30pm on Friday, but conditions had still not improved and it was again put on hold until 1.30pm, and that ended up being the story of the day.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 22 February 2019