Fans lift Waikato crew to victory
Four new $35,000 boats being treated like dodgems may not have impressed the organisers of rowing's Great Race on Saturday, but the racing that ensued must have.As would the thousands of fans who lined the course and packed the finishing area to see the closest Gallagher Great Race finish.
Harvard University, sticking to the faster east bank, chipped away at Waikato's lead, dragging them closer with every stroke.
Waikato's advantage, which was as much as four boat lengths at one stage, seemed ample, but the big Harvard men powered home to lose by only a second.
Controversy clouded both the start of the men's and the women's races. The women's race was started three times after two collisions, the men's twice - the second time in circumstances Harvard were not happy with and which affected the outcome of the race.
Harvard powered ahead from the start, aiming for enough of a lead to cross in front of the Waikato boat to the west side of the river. Waikato saw what was happening, lifted their stroke rate, the boats clashed and the race was restarted.
The clash was Harvard's fault - there was no doubting that as they didn't have enough room to cut across - but for the restart, the Bostonians were placed in the middle of the fast flowing Waikato River, while the home crew had less current to deal with closer to the bank.
While the restart made a huge difference to Harvard, who were clearly annoyed at the referee's decision, if they hadn't cut in front before they were clear of the Waikato crew, the restart wouldn't have happened.
Even from on the water, as the boats came into view of the thousands of people on the bank next to the Hamilton Rowing Club, the drums and cheering hit the boats like a wave. More banging thunder sticks than a netball game could be seen and heard with the odd spatter of Mooloo bells joining in.
As the crews fought their way against the current, closer to the finish, the Mexican wave-style cheer grew louder, willing the home crew on.
Waikato crossed the line doing a mammoth 46 (strokes per minute) rating to be less than half a boat length in front.
The win is Waikato's fifth in the six years of the event and when Waikato crew captain Dave Schumacher held the Harry Mahon Trophy aloft, it was clear just how much it meant to the local lads, and their supporters.
Obviously gutted at the result, the Harvard crew and their management were gracious guests with nothing but praise for the event and their hosts.
"We've had a tremendous trip and this is a tremendous event," coach Bill Manning said.
"We're grateful and fortunate to be invited and to be able to take part."
Manning said, barring time clashes, if Harvard received another invite, they'd definitely be back and hoped Waikato could take part in the world's largest two-day regatta, the Head of the Charles Race in Boston.
In the school races, Waikato Diocesan School were too strong in the girls' race, beating Takapuna Grammar by 29 seconds. A further 10 seconds back, Sacred Heart finished third, then St Peter's School in fourth.
The boys' race was dominated by 2007 Maadi Cup holders Hamilton Boys' High School who looked like they could have done the race again at the end.
Rotorua Boys' High finished second ahead of St Kentigern College and Tauranga Boys' College.