Triple crown in Covid-affected year

Even with the heart-breaking cancellation of her ultimate school regatta, Shakira Mirfin still managed to take out three major awards at the delayed 2020 Southland Rowing Association Awards held on Sunday 20th September.

The Southland Girls High School athlete’s Senior gold-medal winning single scull performance at the Rocketfood National Club Championships in February, before all rowing was shutdown, earned the teen Overall Oarsperson of the Year, Southland Based Rower of the Year and Secondary School Rower of the Year at the Awards event held at her own Invercargill Rowing Club.

Mirfin was on track for April’s Aon Maadi Cup success with wins at the Meridian South Island Secondary Schools in both the under 18 single and double events. It was a cruel blow for the Year 13 student, who also took out the Senior Single and Double titles, with Sarah Stewart, at the January South Island Club Championships.

Stewart was also a Major Award winner, gaining Crew of the Year alongside Eilish McLeod, for their performance in the Women’s Club Double at the National Club championships. McLeod was named Junior Rower of the Year.

Waihopai Rowing Club’s Suzanne Townshend was named Administrator of the Year and Danny Young, as Coach of the Year, for their tireless efforts.

Locally, Invercargill RC was named Aggregate Regatta Points winners for taking out four of the six points categories.