2017 Aon University Championships this weekend
New Zealand’s university rowing champions will be crowned this weekend at the 2017 Aon University Rowing Championships at Lake Hood, Ashburton.
312 athletes from eight universities around New Zealand are entered in the weekend festival of rowing, considered the most fiercely contested regatta in the university rowing calendar.
Regatta officials and athletes alike will also be keeping a close eye on the weather with ex-Cyclone Cook set to bear down on the country from Thursday afternoon with the potential to impact travel and race plans.
Strong fields will contest the blue riband Championship eight event, with five male crews from four universities racing for the Hebberley Shield and six female crews from four universities competing for the Tamaki Cup.
Championship eights will be the facing the challenge of a 3.2km or traditional two mile course, longer than the standard two kilometre course which all other classes will tackle.
Otago University will be chasing an 11 th consecutive Tamaki Cup victory with Lincoln University, Victoria University and the University of Canterbury all also lining up for the challenge.
Two Otago University crews will also be looking to keep possession of the Hebberley Shield but will be facing tough competition from the University of Auckland, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, and Victoria University.
The largest fields of the regatta are in the intermediate double sculls with 14 crews entered in each of the men’s and women’s events.
Events available range from Novice, Tournament, Intermediate and Championship, in a variety of boat classes depending on the grade.
The 2017 Aon University Rowing Championships begin on Friday 14 April with the Championship eights event. Other events will commence with heats on Saturday 15 April and conclude with finals on Sunday 16 April.
Results, schedules and entries can be viewed online www.rowit.co.nz