Man overboard
The Waikato University men’s eight, who lost a rower overboard, recovered to claim victory in the Gallagher Great Race on Waikato River in Hamilton on Sunday.
They clashed with the highly ranked Harvard University crew under the first bridge, with No 3 seat Richard Power tipped out of the boat. The judges ruled a re-start, giving Harvard a five second penalty, but it ignited the home crew who dominated from that point to win the coveted Harry Mahon Memorial Trophy for the ninth time in 13 years.
Meanwhile the visiting Washington University women’s crew executed their tactics to perfection to come from behind to beat the host Waikato University eight for the first time.
Washington, who boasted three New Zealanders in their crew, won the Bryan Gould Cup after an outstanding performance, despite clipping two trees along the riverbank.
Unique 3.8km boat race
The Gallagher Great Race pitted university crews from Harvard, Washington, Melbourne and hosts Waikato in the unique 3.8km boat race, upstream into the strong currents and winds on the Waikato River and negotiating their way under three bridges.
The men’s race produced a fierce battle between eight-time winners Waikato University and Harvard, the famed Ivy League American college, with Melbourne behind in third.
Waikato, who started on the unfavoured west bank, moved across to cover the fast start from Harvard, and after some contact were forced to back off to fall behind the American crew.
Instead of pressing on, Harvard also eased, allowing Waikato to reignite the battle, overlapping on the eastern bank side as both crews collided under the bridge, which forced Power overboard.
The judged stopped the race, calling for a restart and penalty to the Americans. It only served to fire up the home crew, who powered away with the benefit of the favoured eastern bank. They dominated from that point winning by a wide margin from Harvard and Melbourne.
“It was definitely Plan B for us,” says Waikato stroke Finn Howard.
“We showed some guts and determination to get back in to the race. It was exciting with the tussle in the middle. We didn’t realise Richard was out of the boat. That was a first for me. We got the restart and had good rhythm and a good place on the river. It was a shock to the system to stop and then restart like that but we were excited and keen to stamp our authority.”
Missed opportunity for first win
Harvard coach Patrick LaPage said his crew had missed out on an excellent opportunity to gain their first win in the Gallagher Great Race.
“It was somewhat controversial but you always expect that in the Great Race. It is never simple and such a tactical race,” LaPage said.
“We were a bit disappointed not to have won but there’s more to winning this race than being the fastest boat on the day. We had a good crack at it.”
Waikato forced into the current
Meanwhile Waikato University, led by world champion Zoe Stevenson in stroke, made the early running along the east bank in the women’s race, as Washington remained close, with Melbourne dropping back.
Washington’s attack forced Waikato to veer into the current as the teams moved to the west bank, where the Americans clipped a tree along the riverbank to drop back by two lengths.
When the action returned to the eastern side of the river, the Washington crew attacked again, gaining the overlap to force Waikato back into the current in the middle of the river. It proved the pivotal move as the Americans pushed on over the final 200m to claim an historic victory.
“It was perfect execution out there today,” says Auckland’s Kirstyn Goodger, who rows for Washington.
“The river was pretty challenging but I thought our coxswain handled it beautifully. The river was going a bit faster and we hit a couple of trees we hadn’t hit before so that was fun. Everything we planned we executed.”
Their long-time coach Bob Ernst heaped praise on their coxswain Marlow Mizer.
“Most of our races are in swimming pools 1.25 miles long and everybody goes in a straight line. Our coxswain is very young but was a ski racer and so she understands the lines and she was perfect navigating on this river and in the currents today.”
The race culminated a week-long activity including indoor rowing, schools visits, corporate, university and schools eights rowing on Waikato River.
Results:
Women: Washington University 14min 28.11sec, 1; Waikato University 14:41.66, 2; Melbourne University 15:53.51, 3.
Men: Waikato University 15:44.15, 1; Harvard University 16:13.45, 2; Melbourne University 16:31.11, 3.
Note: Men’s times include stoppage, and 5 sec penalty for Harvard).