Racing underway at 2017 New Zealand Masters Rowing Championships
After yesterday’s high winds that whipped through the central south island, a still morning greeted competitors at the 2017 New Zealand Masters Rowing Championships. As the day progressed, a Nor west wind slowly built to give a good head wind.
The first race of the day, Men’s C 2-, saw a thrilling dual between Horowhenua and Union Rowing club, ahead of a tight pack of other pairs. It was the Horowhenua pairing of Andrew Bealing and Kevin Horan that would take the first gold of the day.
The mixed A – C quad saw a dominant display from the Dunstan Arm, Union Rowing Club and Cromwell composite crew winning by nearly 6 seconds over the Union Rowing Club crew. Third place went to the Horowhenua and Petone composite crew.
As the wind slowly picked up at Ruataniwha, the women’s E single came down the track in to a growing head wind. Imogen Coxhead of Port Chalmers United made light work of the conditions to win by a margin of 15 seconds over Ashburton’s Charlotte Cox. Port Chalmers United’s Robyn Cameron rounded out the medals taking the bronze.
The Minor medals in the Men’s D coxless four was a good tussle down the course between Nelson Rowing Club and North End. The two South Island crews were level through the 500-metre mark with Nelson a canvas ahead over the finish line to take the silver medal. The race was won by a slick looking Union Rowing Club crew of Stuart Wade, Barry Meates, Christo Trought, Murray McCartin.
As has been traditional in recent years the day finished with the North Vs. South quads and eights. Unfortunately, the North Island could not boat a women’s quad so the men’s and women’s quad were combined into won race which was taken out by the south island crew. In the eights it was also the South Island crews that won both the men’s and women’s races.
This year’s regatta sees a new trophy donated by the Union Rowing Club to be awarded for the most successful club at the NZ Masters Championships. Points are awarded on a 5 – 3 – 1 basis. Points are only awarded to crews that are made up from crews from one club – composite crews are ineligible to earn points.
Racing concludes tomorrow at Lake Ruataniwha. Live results are available at rowit.nz