Pieces of Eight

Pieces of Eight

The Big Guns were in action at the 2007 AON Maadi Cup Regatta at Lake Karapiro today as the top junior eights in the country went head to head for the first time.

North Island vs. South Island clashes in the finals look a guarantee in both the top Men’s and Women’s events.

Three heats of the premier event for Men’s Under 18 Eights – the AON Maadi Cup – were fought out in tricky cross wind conditions. Holders Christ’s College clocked the fastest time in the first heat – an impressive six minutes – though in the third heat Hamilton Boys School looked composed and controlled with a qualifying time just four seconds slower. Much of the middle portion of their race was spent cruising at a low stroke rate and the safe money will be on them finding another gear in the final and making a close race of it with the boys from Christchurch.

Winners of the second heat, Auckland Grammar, also looked composed in stopping the clock at just under 6 minutes and 7 seconds for the 2,000 metre race.

Runners up in the three heats – St Kentigern, Christchurch High School and Kings College – all go straight to the final, and two more will make it through to Saturday’s Big Race after tomorrow’s repecharge.

In the Levin Cup for Women’s Under 18 eights, Rangi Ruru looked strong in winning their heat and progressing directly to Saturday’s final, though they were chased hard in the closing moments of the race by both Nelson and Waikato Diocesan in what turned out to be the faster of the two heats.

In the second race, Wanganui Collegiate School – the current title holders – took a three second win over St Margaret’s College, though their time was eight seconds slower than that of Rangi Ruru. Two close repecharges for the remaining six final spots are inevitable.

Another notable performance at today’s regatta came from the Under 18 Men’s double scull from Nelson Rowing Club. Blair Jones and Jamie Orsbourn put in a stormer of a race to lower the course record for their class – clocking a mighty impressive 6.32.99 seconds to win their heat by over half a minute and take the fastest qualifying spot for the final by 10 seconds – an awfully big gap in rowing terms and one which will no doubt leave the opposition wondering what they can do.

Ends

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