Old foe returns for river boat race
Cambridge University has been confirmed as Waikato's international opponents in next year's Great Race.Saturday's race saw the closest finish in the event's history as Waikato nudged out Harvard University by half a boat length.
Cambridge were the original opponents in the first Gallagher Great Race and are the only crew to topple the hosts, in 2004.
Event manager Kevin Endres said Saturday's close race helped cement the sport as a spectacle, for rowing and non-rowing fans alike.
"We love it, it's great and it makes great viewing. It's a match race, a dog fight and everyone's out there to gain an advantage for their crew."
Thousands of supporters lined the river and found vantage points where they could. A couple of hitches at the start meant there were delays as both the men's and women's races had to be restarted.
That didn't worry Hamilton man Tony Bell who grabbed his spot early on the Ambassador Motor Inn jetty, just north of the main crowds.
"I love it, it's a great day and good to come down and support Waikato sport. Hamilton's becoming a real sporting hub with the V8s and World Rally Champs. It's bloody good."
The race, which generates no income, is sponsored by four main backers; Gallagher, Holdfast, University of Waikato and Hamilton City Council.
Meanwhile, more that 1700 people turned out at the Wel Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts for the annual King St Great Race masquerade ball.
Ballgoers - including Harvard rowers - partied well in to the night and were entertained in different rooms by live bands.
"I believe it was the best we've had - in terms of how polished the event was and the entertainment we had," organiser Matt Taylor said.
He said organisers would have a debrief about the ball over the next couple of weeks.
There would be another ball next year, he said, and details would be announced in the next few weeks.