Whilst we prepare for hot weather here in Melbourne, hot rowing is underway in Sydney at the NSW Championships.

On day one, there were many highlights including Cate McNeil teaming up with Clodagh McCarthy of Nagambie to take bronze in the under 19 pair. The crew was co-coached by Andrew McNeil and Sue Andrews. This is a great result when one considers that Cate is only 15 years old with her best in front of her. Well done Cate.

Cate McNeil on the podium

In other races, Austin Reinehr won his heat in the un der 23 pair when he teamed up with Pender of UTS.

In the women's pair, Jess Morrison teamed up again with Annabelle McIntyre to win her heat as did Kat Werry and Lucy Stephan in their heat. Paige Barr teamed up with Cox of UWARC to finish second. This augers well for Mercantile'e podium aspirations in that event.

In the men's pair, Fergus Hamilton paired with Alex Hill of SA to win their heat and Angus Widdicombe finished third in his heat.

Alex Tomanovits and Ben Whitmee raced the B final of the lightweight under 23 single, as Sophie Reinehr in the elite single. Jake Polkinghorne and Oscar Scalzo, and Charlie Clarke and Hamish Nicol also raced in the B final of the under 21 pair.

More tomorrow.