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Alexander Scharp

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC) and Cambridge University Boat Club (UK)

Alex learned his rowing at Scotch College Melbourne rowing in senior crews in both 2004 and 2005.

His move to Mercantile Rowing Club led to a successful year in under 19 rowing in 2006. This culminated in rowing in the three seat of the bronze medal winning Australian Junior quad at the World Under 19 Championships.

In 2007 it was a change back to sweep rowing culminating in a seat in the Victorian youth eight at the Interstate Championships and a bronze medal in Under 23 eights at the National Championships.

After a stellar domestic season in 2008 with wins in the Interstate Youth Eights and in the national championship under 23 pair, a disappointing Australian under 23 eight followed later that year which finished in seventh place.

Alex in the three seat of the Australian quad in 2006

In 2009, Alex raced in both senior and under 23 domestically and had another attempt at the World Under 23 Championship eights, this time finishing fourth.

Again in 2010, great domestic success occurred with podium finishes in three under 23 National Championships, but also again no luck in the Australian under 23 eight at the World Under 23 Championships.

Alex finished his studies at Melbourne University with first class honours in history (BA (Hon)), and then continued his studies at St Edmunds College, Cambridge University. He again finished his BA there with first class honours in law.

Most importantly for this story, he continued his rowing with Cambridge University Boat Club and raced in the blue boat at The Boat Race in both 2012 and 2013, winning in 2012 with fellow Australian and Club President, David Nelson.

The 2012 race was disrupted by a man jumping in the river into oncoming crews, which stopped the race. Before the race was resumed, allegedly, Scharp shouted to the Oxford crew, “Yeah! More Racing! Let’s go back to the start!” before Oxford had an opportunity to compose themselves. Cambridge won the race.

Alex has continued on in the UK working in banking and finance.

Known rowing record

2004 – APS Head of the River, 3rd VIII, 4 seat, 1st place.

2005 – APS Head of the River, 2nd VIII, 6 seat, 6th place.

2005 – Youth Cup Rowing Regatta, 4 seat, 4th place.

2006 – Saltwater Challenge, 4x, 1st place

2006 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U19 4x, 2 seat, Bronze medal

2006 – World Junior Championships, Men’s Junior 4x, 3 seat, Bronze medal

2007 – Interstate Regatta Wilkinson Cup 8+, 4th place

2007 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 8+, Bronze medal.

2008 – Victorian Rowing State Championships, 2-, Gold Medal

2008 – Interstate Regatta Wilkinson Cup 8+, bow seat, 1st place.

2008 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U21 8+, 7 seat, 1st place

2008 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 2-, Gold medal.

2008 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 4-, 5th place

2008 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 8+, 4th place

2008 – U23 World Championships 8+, 5 seat, 7th place.

2008 – Melbourne Head Regatta, 1x, 3rd place

2009 – Victorian State Championships, Open 4-, 1st place

2009 – Interstate Regatta Kings Cup, 2nd place

2009 – Australian National Rowing Championships, Open 4-, stroke seat, 4th place

2009 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 8+, stroke seat, 4th place

2009 – U23 World Rowing Championships 8+, 2 seat, 4th place,

2009 – Head of the Goulburn, Open 4-, first place

2010 – Victorian State Championships, U23 2-, Gold

2010 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 2-, Silver

2010 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 8+, Bronze

2010 – Australian National Rowing Championships, U23 4-, Gold

2010 – U23 World Rowing Championships, 8+, bow seat, 9th place

2012 – Boat Race, beat Oxford by 4 ½ lengths, 5 seat, rowed with fellow Australian and Cambridge University Captain David Nelson

2013 – Boat Race, 7 seat, lost to Oxford by 1 ½ lengths,

Andrew Guerin and Flynn Snowden
June 2023

Sources:

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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