Sutherland moving, but will row for Avon

Press, 20 September 1977, Page 34

Sutherland moving, but will row for Avon

By

TIM DUNBAR

Ivan Sutherland, one of New Zealand’s best oarsmen, is to transfer from Christchurch to his old home town, Blenheim, in a f ew weeks but still intends to row for Avon this season. This decision will be a great relief to Sutherland’s club, as he was a vital member of the Avon coxed four which has won four successive national titles. Sutherland also had a seat in the New Zealand eight which won a bronze medal at the Montreal Olympics and he went one better recently with a silver in the coxless fours at the 1977 world championships in Amsterdam.

As well as doing his normal job in the Valuation Department when he heads

north on November 5, Sutherland intends to “go back farming in the Lower Wairau” where he has a share in a property with his brothers, Alan (the former All Black) and Raymond. The farm is right next to the Blenheim Rowing Club’s sheds and only about two kilometres down the river is the Wairau club, with which he started rowing. He will not rejoin the Avon club until after Christmas, when its top oarsmen have their annual training camp at Picton to sort out the senior crews. “But don’t think that 1 won’t be training befor then. 111 be getting out at home in a single and hope to combine in a double with my cousin, Kevin, the hooker for Marlborough.

“It’s really good for you to get into a scull — it gives a good sense of balance,” Sutherland said. After the Avon crews have been settled, Sutherland will obviously need, to spend as much time with his team-mates as possible and he will have to commute frequently from Belnheim as well as taking a little leave.

Next year Sutherland will try for a place in the New

Zealand eight to contest the world championships at Karapiro, and being in the strong Avon crew will help press his claims. The 27-year-old was also a talented flanker several years ago for the Moutere club in Marlborough but he says that anyone good at two sports “has to give one away to get to the top.” Sutherland is looking forward to returning to Blenheim and the move will also be a home-coming for his wife, Margaret, who is expecting a baby in about three weeks.