Otago maintains record of South Island interprovincial success
OTAGO has continued its run of South Island rowing supremacy.
The region picked up its fourth consecutive interprovincial title at the weekend’s regatta at Lake Ruataniwha.
Otago finished with 72 points and Canterbury was second on 64 points in perfect conditions.
A strong first day proved the difference for Otago.
After its first eight races it held a 10point lead, winning five and coming second in the rest.
Canterbury had two thirds, which set it back.
Both the open and under20 men were impressive in winning all of their races on the opening day, while the women’s under20 coxless four claimed victory by 0.12sec over Canterbury.
Single sculls races were held for the under20s and Otago took two of the top three spots in both men’s and women’s.
New Zealand representative Veronica Wall gave Canterbury first in the women’s race, but Eva Hofmans and Macaela Turfus claimed second and third.
Bradley Leydon and Jack McLaughlan then claimed the top two spots in the men’s race for Otago to help keep Otago on top.
Canterbury continued to close the gap when it took first and second in the men’s under20 double sculls.
A win in the men’s coxed eight proved key to Otago holding on — although it did not come quite as expected.
The region put two crews into the sweeping event — one of sweepers and one of scullers.
The scullers got the job job done, but the points counted just the same.