Girdlestone helps Sydney University to victory in fierce rowing showdown

NSWIS rowing star and Olympic silver medallist Cameron Girdlestone and Rio teammate Alexander ‘Sasha’ Belonogoff have helped Sydney University retain the men’s Australian Boat Race title against Melbourne University.

The annual boat race alternates venues between Sydney Harbour and Melbourne’s Yarra River, and is based on the historically famous Cambridge and Oxford University boat race on the River Thames in London.

This year the race was held in Sydney over a 4.3-kilometre stretch of water from Woolwich to Darling Harbour.

While Melbourne fought hard to try and snatch victory in enemy territory, it wasn’t enough to beat the Sydney crew who won decisively in tough winds and strong swell.
Extending Sydney’s advantage to 6-1 in the history of the event, Girdlestone said the conditions were the toughest he has ever competed in.

“I thought Rio had the toughest conditions Sasha and I had ever faced, but this took the cake,” said Girdlestone.

“To give them credit, Melbourne really stuck it to us.

“It was more like a race of survival than a race of the fittest and strongest.”

Post #AusBoatRace banter over brunch with Cam Gird, Sasha Belonogoff, Jen Clearly & Sarah Banting. pic.twitter.com/b1eZZdngdf

— Australian Boat Race (@AusBoatRace) October 23, 2016

Melbourne maintained their unbroken record in the event to win the women’s event for the eighth consecutive time.