Elias Connell Laycock (8 May 1845 – 29 May 1938) was an Australian competitive rower who three times tried to become the World Sculling Champion. Early life Elias Laycock was born in Pitt Street in Sydney, New South Wales. He attended boarding school at Newtown for a few years then changed to the Cleveland House School in Sydney's Cleveland Paddocks district. Laycock proceeded to work at various jobs after his father's theatre was destroyed by fire during a point in which the building was left uninsured for several days. Laycock worked as a sailor in England, a gold miner near the Gulf of Carpentaria, a cattle stockman at Gippsland, Victoria, a sailor again within Australia, then another gold mining stint. Rowing career Laycock began sculling in 1874 with his first regatta appearance on the Clarence River at Grafton. Michael Rush won that competition and its prize of £200 with Edward Trickett in second place while Laycock finished third. Later that year, Laycock trailed Trickett at the Balmain Regatta. In 1875, Laycock competed again at Clarence River this time winning the regatta over Rush. That September, Trickett defeated Laycock at a match on the Parramatta River in Sydney. Laycock also placed second that November in a re-match with Trickett at the Balmain regatta. Laycock won the Balmain regatta the following year. On 26 January 1877, Trickett won over Laycock at an annual regatta in Sydney which commemorates the anniversary of the colonisation of Australia. Later that year, Laycock won the Balmain regatta a second time. Around this time, he obtained a position in charge of a quarantine station at Shark Island. In July 1878, Laycock rowed G. Solomon in heavy boats for £60. A previous race between the two scullers resulted in a draw, consequent upon a foul. Laycock, however, led from the start and won easily. On 14 September 1878, Laycock was matched against Charles A. Messenger, for £100 a side and the "Championship of the World". Laycock won that contest on the Parramatta River after a close race, marred by confusion caused by steamers at the finish. He is described by a commentator that day as follows:- Elias Laycock is a true son of the soil, and a splendid specimen of humanity, standing over 6 feet 2 inches and lifting the beam at 12st10lbs. On 1 January 1879, Laycock was defeated in the watermen's skiff race at Newcastle, principally