Wairarapa Cancer Society lived up to expectations at the national dragon boat racing championships in Ashburton over the weekend, winning a gold medal over 2km and being beaten narrowly into second over 200m and 500m.
Victories at major regattas in Wellington and Auckland before they headed south had made Cancer Society among the favourites for each of their races and while coach Ivan Karaitiana readily concedes three golds was the ultimate objective he was "over the moon" with their end results.
"We went there to win but one gold and two silvers isn't too bad, is it?" Karaitiana said.
"I think we can settle for that!"
Cancer Society dominated their opposition in the 2kms race, working to the lead early in the piece and finishing in a slick 11min 22secs, 27secs ahead of the second placegetter, Auckland Dragon Boat Racing Club.