General view of the 2026 Maadi Rowing Regatta at Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel> Photo ./ Picture Show Ltd / Rowing NZ
Wednesday is always a big day at the Maadi Regatta. With finals and semi-final berths on the line, crews are forced to race with finals-level intensity, knowing that for many, it’s now or never.
The day opened with the Girls Under 18 Double Sculls quarter-finals, where crews were chasing progression to the semi-finals. Hauraki Plains College’s Paige Tevita-Williams and Tayler Gibbs impressed with their composed and fluid sculling, establishing an early rhythm to comfortably secure their place in the next round of racing.
In the Girls Under 15 Coxed Four repechages, just one A Final spot was available in each race. Waikato Diocesan School for Girls and Christchurch Girls’ High School rose to the occasion, each delivering dominant performances to claim their places, with the remaining crews progressing to the B Final.
The Boys Under 18 Coxed Quadruple Sculls repechages provided high-stakes racing, with only the top four crews advancing to the semi-finals. St Peter’s School showcased their class, with Jakob Kampenhout, Angus Denize, Jack Calcinai, Mattias Everett, and coxswain Jade Noonan producing a polished performance to progress. Marlborough Boys’ College claimed victory in the second repechage with another impressive display of schoolboy sculling.
In the third repechage Nelson College built their race beautifully, gaining momentum through the second half to secure qualification, while Takapuna Grammar narrowly missed out in a tight battle for the final semi-final spot – a powerful reminder of the fine margins that define this regatta.
In the Boys Under 16 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, crews were racing for the final two A Final positions. St Bede’s College led repechage one, with Christ’s College edging out Timaru Boys’ High School in a close finish to also progress. In the second repechage, St Peter’s College and Cashmere High School secured the remaining A Final berths.
The first eights race of the day, the Girls Under 16 Coxed Eight, delivered a milestone moment for St Margaret’s College. Their No 2 crew, coached by Ian Smallman, produced a strong performance to join their No 1 crew in the A Final – marking the first time the school has placed two Under 16 Eights into an A Final. Also qualifying for the A final were Queen Margaret College, Marlborough Girls’ College, and St Peter’s School.
As the day unfolded and the crowds at Lake Ruataniwha grew, so too did the atmosphere, with every race carrying weight and consequence.
In the Girls Under 17 Single Sculls, Ashburton College’s Isla Moffat delivered a standout performance, alongside St Cuthbert’s College’s Zara Blackie. The pair went stroke for stroke down the course, recording the fastest times in their repechage and setting up an exciting next stage of racing.
The race for the Springbok Shield intensified in the Boys Under 18 Coxed Four, with Auckland Grammar, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Hamilton Boys’ High School No 2, Christ’s College, King’s College, and St John’s College securing their A Final places through the repechages. They join earlier qualifiers Westlake Boys’ High School and Hamilton Boys’ High School No 1 in what promises to be a highly competitive final.
In the Girls Under 18 Coxed Four repechages, with just one A Final place available in each race, Marlborough Girls’ College and Epsom Girls Grammar delivered when it mattered most to secure their spots. With the Dawn Cup on the line, this event is shaping into a standout contest.
There was no shortage of intensity in the Boys Under 17 Coxed Four repechages. The crew from St Andrew’s College, coached by Liam Parker and Timmy Heritage, led from the start and held off an impressive challenge from Westlake Boys’ High School to secure their A Final place. In the second repechage, St Kentigern College showed composure under pressure to edge out St Peter’s College and book their spot.
The repechage racing in the Girls and Boys Under 18 Coxed Eights delivered all the emotion of a final. For some crews, it was heartbreak – missing out on the coveted A Final spot they had been building towards all season – while for others, it was pure elation as their hopes of the big dance stayed alive.
In stacked repechages for the girls’ event, South Island champions Rangi Ruru led from start to finish in a commanding performance. Whanganui Collegiate secured second, while a late surge from Waikato Diocesan’s No 2 crew saw them join their No 1 crew in Saturday’s Levin Jubilee Cup final.
The second repechage produced a clear top three, with Christchurch Girls’ High School, Auckland Diocesan School for Girls, and Epsom Girls Grammar all qualifying through to the A Final.
The boys’ repechages for the Maadi Cup were equally gripping. In the first, Christ’s College, Hamilton Boys’ High School, and Christchurch Boys’ High School secured their progression to the A Final.
The second repechage saw South Island champions St Bede’s College lead from start to finish in a commanding display. Behind them, a fierce battle for the remaining qualifying spots had spectators on the edge of their seats. In a gutsy performance, King’s College No 2, coxed by Charles Lewis, edged out Westlake Boys’ High School in the closing stages to secure their A Final berth, with St Peter’s College (Auckland) also qualifying.
Small boats semi-finals rounded out the remainder of the day’s racing. With most finals fields now largely decided, the regatta moves into its most anticipated phase. The stage is set for an exciting run home, where every stroke will count.