Masters Championships Conclude at Ruataniwha
The second day of the 2017 New Zealand Masters Rowing Championships got underway on time this morning with a good easterly tail wind and cooler temperatures than yesterday. However, the competitors were ready to race on Lake Ruataniwha.
The mixed A – D coxless four was a drag race from start to finish with the three crews finishing within half a length of each other. Going through the halfway mark all the crews were level. However, it was a Union Rowing Club one – two in the end, with a Petone, Horowhenua crew of Anna Sissons, Shannon Hennig , Andrew Bealing , Guy Aitcheson rounding out the field.
In one of the most dominant displays of the regatta, the Dunstan Arm men’s C double of Simon Smith and Greg McLaughlin stormed home 20 seconds ahead of the second placed Union crew. Third place went to Wakatipu a length back.
The next race, the men’s D 2-, was a close finish between Union Rowing Club and North End. The two crews were neck and neck going into the last 100m, but the Union combination of Stuart Wade and Barry Meates just pipped Kelvin Maker and David Hanan of North End to take the Gold medal.
In division one of the mixed D – F doubles the Port Chalmers, Dunstan Arm crew of took an early lead over the field and held it across the line. The second division was a much closer race with only a couple of lengths across the field. It was the Cromwell combination of Maude O'Connell and Neil Garden that would take the line honours for the win
As the rain began to come down, the women’s E 2x was coming down the course. The Port Chalmers United double of Imgoen Coxhead and Robyn Cameron put on a fantastic display of sculling, looking comfortable to take a great win ahead of a Union, Cromwell combination. Waitemata took the third spot.
Due to the numbers competing, some races were combined to give some the opportunity to race. One combined race that ended up having a great battle was the women’s B 1x and women’s D 8+. While the 8+ was the winner if it’s race, the race within a race went to Kirsty Mahney from Union.
The final races of the day were the mixed A – C double. By this stage the sun had returned to Ruataniwha and the lake returned to it’s usual still, flat conditions.
The overall points trophy was awarded to Union Rowing Club.
Results from the weekends racing is available here.