A NEW boat, a more intense training regime and growing junior ranks has Loreto College fired up for Boat Race.Loreto has the newest rowing program in Head of the Lake ranks – ready for its fifth year back in the regatta.This time the girls are determined, more than ever, to prove their worth on the water.The firsts finished third in Patterson Shield stakes last summer on Geelong’s Barwon River and are keen to see what they might serve up on Sunday.Today, The Courier takes a close look at the Loreto College campaign.THE FIRSTSLORETO captain of boats Stef Seeary is proud of the hard work her crew has put in this summer.“We’re shaping up really well, especially compared to other years,” Seeary said.“We’re a lot fitter and we’ve done lots more strength work.”Seeary (bow) and Rebecca Young (stroke) return for a second season in the firsts.Experienced coxswain Claudia Griffin will make her firsts debut at Boat Race.Griffin, in year 11, has been coxing for Loreto since year 7 and looked forward to the challenge of finally guiding the open firsts.Cassie James (three seat) and Taylah Blake (two seat) have been promoted from the year 10 firsts and have enjoyed the step up in intensity.THE RIVALSAN ADVANTAGE for Loreto this year is Felicity.Named for Loreto College’s year of felicity, the firsts crew is hoping the boat will live up to its name.The boat has boosted the confidence of the girls, who are now on a more equal playing field with their rivals.Most of the rivalry in the girls’ Head of the Lake will be centred on Ballarat Clarendon College and Ballarat Grammar after College pipped Grammar for victory last season.Loreto could face a strong challenge from Ballarat High School, which they beat last season.THE TRAININGACCESS to Lake Wendouree has been the key.Seeary said that without the travel of past seasons, Loreto rowers had made the most of extra training time in Ballarat.She felt the whole squad was in better shape – fitness, strength and technique-wise. “We’ve done a lot of training and hopefully shown a lot of improvement,” Seeary said.“The girls have put in so much hard work.“In the mornings, it’s good to see everyone determined just to do their best.”Loreto spent its junior and senior summer rowing camp in Ballarat after initial plans to stay in Geelong were thwarted by floods.Seeary said staying in Ballarat was a great move; it allowed the crews to focus on more training.THE FLEETABOUT four new crews have joined the Loreto ranks.Training back on Lake Wendouree has helped attract more rowers but growing recognition for the developing rowing program has also started to reap rewards.Seeary said the atmosphere in shed was upbeat and rowers keen to make a splash at Boat Race.“We want to show everyone what we’re made of,” Seeary said. “We’ve been out on the lake and getting everything perfect.”THE SUPPORTERSTHERE is not just a student body behind Loreto’s campaign – there is a whole community hub.Loreto is based at the Wendouree-Ballarat rowing shed, which include Ballarat’s Dragons Abreast rowers.More time training out of the shed has led to stronger ties between the rowing clubs.Support is also growing at school with Seeary saying excitement leading into Boat Race was bigger with every year.“There is a lot more enthusiasm,” Seeary said.“St Pat’s has about a 100-year history in Head of the Lake – this is our fifth.“But we have a real sense of purpose this year.”