Quality rowing crews from Oxford and Sydney Universities travelled to Hamilton to compete in the annual Gallagher Great Race.

Both crews were stacked with international rowers who have competed at regattas all over the world, yet none have experienced a rowing event quite like this: “It’s a real battle . . . so different to rowing on a standard 2000m course. The crowd support and noise is bigger than you get at any world championship event, this is something very special” said Colin Smith, Oxford stroke and 2008 Olympic medallist.

Leading from the beginning and holding a three length lead coming in to the difficult final 1000m, the Waikato University men’s crew hoped they had enough to hold out Oxford who were finishing on the favoured western bank. Although fading a little against the tough eastern bank current, Waikato held on for a stunning 2 length victory over the international quality Oxford eight.

Nathan Twaddle, the experienced Waikato Captain said “We were rowing scared, we were never trusting. We got the lead and just had to keep going hard all the way to the line.”

The large crowd on the riverbanks cheered the Waikato University men on, anxious not to see a repeat of the dramatic finish of the women’s race.  Sydney University rowed down the Waikato University women’s crew in the last 200 metres to win the Bryan Gould Cup by 3/4 of a length, after the home eight led from the start and looked assured of victory until they tied up against the current over their final 20 strokes.

Waikato Motor Group’s ongoing support for the Great Race continued this year through vehicle sponsorship.