Master’s stroke earns dual gold

A BENDIGO Rowing Club member has returned from an international masters competition with a swag of medals.

Denis Nihill took to the course 2022 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Libourne, France and came home with gold as part of a J Class coxed eight and a coxless fours and also took home a bronze in a K Class coxed quad.

J Class requires competitors have an average age of 80 years, while the K Class median is 83 years old.

Competing over 1000 meters the coxed eight, Nihill’s crew registered a time of 4 minutes, 31.40 seconds.

Bendigo Rowing Club president Lynda Davis praised Nihill’s results.

“Denis was in great shape leading into the World Masters Regatta,” she said.

“He trained throughout winter on Lake Weeroona with a regime of regular dawn rowing sessions and alongside other club members to hone his racing starts and sprints.

“His strength and fitness complemented his flawless sculling technique and competitive streak. I am not surprised that he has returned home with winning medallions.”

Nihill’s showing in France was his 12th time competing at master rowing events, having also taken to the water in regatta in Ballarat and Adelaide.

About 5000 rowers took part in the 2022 WRMR event, with 50 countries represented and 600 races during the six days of competition held on the Lac des Dagueys in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in south-eastern France.