Indoor row provides insight into Saturday's rowing challenge
Hyundai, Mazda and Peugeot cars were moved aside last night at Waikato Motor Group to turn a sales floor into a sea of screaming supporters and panting athletes for an international indoor row competition.The four main draw cards for Saturday's Gallagher Great Race took to the stage for a 750m row after the event sponsor's teams had fought it out for workplace bragging rights in a 250m row.
Results from the indoor row challenge can often assist in predicting a winner in the Gallagher Great Race, with the bow four challenging each other and then the stern four. The stronger crew can be determined.
University of Waikato Women's crew lined up, with Emma Twigg returning the day prior from Munich, and convincingly won both heats over Melbourne University Boat Club, the defending champions of the Bryan Gould Cup.
University of Waikato men's stern four were not so lucky with Harvard University proving they were stronger in the stern by five seconds.
However the tables, or ergs, turned when the University of Waikato men's bow four took the floor. Nathan Twaddle, also returning from Munich on Wednesday, led the pack to a very close victory.
The scores did show that Harvard could be the pick of the crews on race day, with the best cumulative time of three 3 seconds.
To simulate race action four rowing ergs are connected together, allowing for a team to collectively row and challenge the team sitting beside them. With the results projected onto a big screen supporters can see who is leading and who needs more encouragement.
All teams - corporate, secondary school and elite races - will need encouragement tomorrow Saturday 8th September as they take to the water in the annual Gallagher Great Race.
With sunshine and some high cloud predicted the river banks along the Grantham Street area will be jammed packed, with people and families enjoying the free entertainment.
Entertainment and the Arrow International Fun Run and Walk kick off at 10am with the elite races beginning from noon.