Gunning for glory: Robert Blacker (right) and his eights rowing teammates are hoping to break a five year drought and win at the prestigious GPS Head of the River Regatta. Picture: Gene Ramirez
GPS bragging rights are on the line this Saturday when The Kings School joins private school rivals for the Head of the River Rowing Regatta in Penrith.
The annual GPS Regatta has a long and proud history in Sydney with the first race on the Parramatta River dating back to 1893.
The Kings School entered the regatta for the first time in 1920 and has gone on to win 15 times.
They will be hoping their current open eights team can win the Major Rennie Trophy for the first time since 2007.
Eights captain Robert Blacker said he and his teammates would have to row under six minutes to have any chance of winning the 2000metre final.
‘‘We’ve been doing plenty of training [for this regatta] but there’s any one of six schools who could win on the day,’’ Robert said.
Last year The Kings School finished fifth in the eights competition and were beaten by reigning champions Shore School, The Scots College and Newington who are all major finals contenders again this year.
Robert said he had learned plenty from last year’s final and worked hard with his teammates on timing.
‘‘Shore School are again the team to beat,’’ Robert said.
‘‘But in saying that we’re determined to match them and challenge hard in the third 500.
‘‘This is where we think the race will be won or lost.’’