Rowing: Waikato scupper Oxbridge elite

By ELIZABETH BINNING

A strong game-plan, thousands of supporters and the sound of cow bells has helped Waikato University achieve glory against some of England's finest rowers.

The first Waikato University-Cambridge University rowing race was held on the Waikato River yesterday and thousands of cheering fans were there to share the victorious moment as Waikato won the Harry Mahon Memorial Trophy.

Harry Mahon, a multi-medal winning rowing coach who died last year after a five-year battle with cancer, greatly influenced British and New Zealand rowing, helping both countries to victory at various stages of his life.

Yesterday, both teams paid tribute to Mr Mahon, before The Great Race which started with a challenge from the Waikato University Cultural Group.

After a curtain raiser between Waikato University's women's team and the New Zealand Academy of Rowing, the two teams made their way down the river to the start line, just north of Fairfield Bridge.

Strong and confident Cambridge started out well, but the Waikato crew quickly took the lead and were several boatlengths ahead at the halfway mark.

Waikato held their lead, encouraged along the final kilometre by thousands of cheering supporters.

Families, support crew and students had gathered along the river banks and bridges.

When the disappointed Cambridge team crossed the finish line more than 30 seconds after Waikato - the loss was clearly visible on each crew member's face.

Waikato captain James Fitz-Gerald said the win was a momentous occasion for the team, which consisted of some of New Zealand's finest rowers, fresh from overseas competition.

Both teams found the 4km course against the current lengthy and tiring, but Waikato had the home advantage - the thousands of supporters.

"The crowd was just great. Near the end of the race the cheering was so loud we couldn't hear Rach [the cox].

"It was such a buzz to finish hearing the crowd and the mooloo bells," said Fitz-Gerald.

Cambridge Captain Tim Wooge said his team, who had a height advantage offering greater sweep and leverage on the water, found it difficult to keep up with their Waikato counterparts.

"We lost contact and felt the race was over pretty early on. It was difficult to keep up."

The team put the loss down to tactical errors, despite spending hours going over game plans and dozens of strategies.

Despite their loss, Wooge said the Cambridge crew would be back.

Organisers hope this will be the first of many races to come between Waikato and English teams.

Oxford is already confirmed to compete in next year's race.

The Great Race was modelled on one of Britain's most popular sporting events - the legendary Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race.

The Boat Race, which dates from 1829, takes place along 6km of the Thames and is televised live to six million people each year.

Cambridge had a shock loss against Oxford this year.

The team said that yesterday's Waikato race was a good start to training for next year's Boat Race.