Early last month, Madeline Cox was selected to trial for the North Island U18 Rowing team

This campaign runs as two separate trialist groups. The top U18 rowers from the North Island and the South Island battle it out against each other to become the best island in NZ.

After a weekend of seat racing, where she went head to head with other North Island trialists on and off the water, Maddy was selected as a part of the team.

She then trained with the other successful North Island applicants before racing the South Island U18 Rowing team at a two-day regatta held at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge.

Maddy competed in two events. On the first day Maddy raced in the U18 Women's Eight and in the U18 Women's Pair just falling short to the South Island in both events. On the second day, Maddy re-raced the eight, closing the gap between them and the South Island.

This is such an awesome achievement and a great way for Maddy to complete her season, after a silver in the U16 Singles at the Rowing North Island Secondary School Championships, and gold in the U18 Quad at Maadi Cup earlier this year. Such a talented young athlete - we can't wait to see what the future holds!