Auckland Grammar School's top boys and Waikato Diocesan's top junior women's eights put their names in New Zealand rowing's history books this afternoon with superb wins in the premier events at the Aon Secondary Schools Rowing Championship at Lake Karapiro.
Holders Hamilton Boys High School threw their cards on the table at the starters gun with a blistering first minute to lead the field - and the more fancied crews - in the final of the Aon Maadi Cup.
The crews with the pace from the heats - Auckland Grammar School and Christ’s College - were wise to the early move though and stalked the red and black of Hamilton Boys for about three hundred metres before making their own moves. Auckland moved quickly into a half length lead, establishing what turned out to be important space between them and Christ’s through the middle of the race.
Christ’s never lost touch and moved again with 750 metres to go, closing what had been a half length gap to Auckland right down to just a few feet. Auckland though, were not about to let a great season finish on a low note and moved their own rate of strike up for the final 150 metres, retaining a narrow lead ahead of Christ’s College as they crossed the line to the cheers of a crowd in excess of 5,000. Westlake Boys were third after a quiet race - but this is a young crew and should mature into a fine challenger for honours by time next year's regatta is held.
In the Levin Jubilee Cup, Waikato Diocesan were the obvious favourites after a great heat and indeed after the performance of the squad in general, with a huge haul of medals right across the age range. Their first eight did not disappoint and they shot off from the start into a lead they were never to lose. They turned this into a clear water advantage by half way and left the rest of the field to do battle amongst themselves.
At the line Waikato Dio won with a clear margin ahead of Christchurch Girls and St Kevins whose third place was a remarkable achievement for a club with only 600 metres of usable rowing water. Holders Rangi Ruru finished a disappointed eighth.
Aon Maadi Cup
1. Auckland Grammar 5.55.72
2.Christs College 5.58.31
3.Westlake Boys HS 6.00.96
4. Marlborough Boys College 6.02.57
5. St Kentigern College 6.03.27
6.Hamilton Boys HS 1 6.03.61
7.Hamilton Boys HS 2 6.10.14
8. Kings College 1 6.11.68
Aon Levin Jubilee Cup
1.Waikato Diocesan 6.46.4
2.Christchurch Girls HS 6.52.73
3. St Kevins College 6.54.84
4. St Peters School 6.59.31
5. Wanganui Collegiate 6.59.78
6. St Margarets College 7.00.29
7. Baradene College 7.02.42
8. Rangi Ruru 7.06.60