GOLD AND BRONZE in one weekend Broulee U19 Women’s crew “ Sum Yum Guns” have secured the National Short Course Surfboat Championship held at Manly. The Crew Violetta Favaloro, Isabella Bussa, Paris Hadley, Topaz Eaton and sweep/coach Robert Pollock, had their maiden appearance on the weekend as a crew with only the stroke Violetta Favaloro competed in surfboats before. They also took on the Nations best U19 Women crews on the Saturday in the normal long course competition and made the final and came 3rd in a tight final. Two Women, Paris and Isabella, only gained their bronze medallion a few weeks ago, with Topaz getting her bronze in December .They have been training hard to learn all the skills in a tough sport for young Women. Saturday had crews from 4 states competing, Vic, SA, QLD, NSW. During the morning’s 3 heats the girls did very well getting thru the knockout stage with enough points to get to the final. Broulee had a good start in the final and were running in the top three after a slow get away from the turn the settled down in a fight with Queensland representative crew Noosa for the third position. In a very tight final Broulee outlasted the more experienced QLD crew to claim the bronze. Nth Cronulla were first just ahead of Palm Beach. On Sunday Broulee raced in the national short course and again raced three times before the final. In the final three crews were vying for the lead Broulee, Terrigal and Noosa turned together with Broulee again a bit slower to get away ,all three crew drew level with 100mts to go and Broulee powered down a small wave to claim the Title. Sweep Rob Pollock was extremely happy and with more racing experience will improve even more .8 weeks of hard work and with the addition of more experienced rower Allana O’Fee, before the National Titles in Queensland could have these girls eyeing a national long course title. Source
Above: The crew enjoying some free time after securing the National Short Course Surfboat Championship - Photos courtesy of Rob Pollock
