Junior rowing's top two prizes, the Maadi Cup for boys and the Levin Jubilee Cup for girls, are heading to Christchurch after major wins for Christ's College and St Margaret's.
It was a remarkable result for a rowing region hit hard by the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.
In a thrilling blanket finish to the Maadi Cup, Christ's College held on to defeat holders Auckland Grammar with Westlake College and Australian visitors Nudgee College from Brisbane close behind.
It was MacLeans College who led early but from there the big guns moved into position at the front of the field. Westlake, Grammar and Christ's College were all there with each waiting for the other's major push and it was Christ's College who increased the pace with 900m remaining. It was tight to the finish, with Christ's College winning by just 0.7 seconds.
The Levin Jubilee Cup quickly became a three-horse race for the top junior rowing girls when St Margaret's led out holders Waikato Diocesan and St Peters Cambridge, who had really stamped their mark on the regatta with multiple wins.
