Tuks reign supreme as Boat Race champs

JON HOUZET

THE University of Pretoria took double honours in the Mutual & Federal Universities Boat Race last Saturday by winning both the men's and women's A finals of the tightly contested races on the Kowie River.

It was the fourth consecutive win for the Tuks men's eight and the second win for their women's team in three years.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: The jubilant University of Pretoria men's and women's A crews, coaches and support staff celebrate winning the coveted Cambridge Rudder and Isis Blade in the Universities Boat Race on the Kowie River last Saturday Picture: JON HOUZET

The competition this year was particularly tough as this year's Boat Race had to be shifted a week to accommodate the fact that six of the nine university teams participating, took part in the World University Rowing Championships held in Kazaan, Russia. They had to commute back with little time to adapt to local conditions.

Although there was rumoured controversy over the Tuks men's team having one of the Olympic lightweight fours gold medalists on their team, this did not arise as an issue or spoil the races.

A strong east wind made for challenging conditions on Saturday, especially when crews entered the Bay of Biscay and the choppy water splashed over the bows.

"It's never easy at the Bay, but today is probably the worst I've seen it,” said Sean Kerr, trustee of University Rowing.

Rainclouds loomed in the morning but cleared by the afternoon.

In the women's A final between Tuks and Rhodes University, Rhodes tried to go wide at Riverview Estate but the wind proved their undoing as they were nearly swept into the rocks. They never made up for lost time.

"In this wind a cox becomes quite important,” said Cecil Jones-Phillipson, one of the volunteer marshals.

HARD-FOUGHT: The Rhodes University crew made a valiant effort against the University of Pretoria in the women's A final on Saturday, despite losing valuable time after risking going wide in strong east winds at Riverview Estate Picture: JON HOUZET

A clash of oars in the men's plate final between NMMU and the University of Johannesburg forced a re-start and although UJ took an early lead, the NMMU crew rowed their hearts out in a hard-fought race.

Tuks took the winners' laurels over the University of Cape Town in the men's A final.

The competition was not the only drama on the river on Saturday. Two marshal's boats had engine trouble and broke down, which led to media representatives and other hangers-on changing boats mid-stream, with some disappointed souls towed back to the Ski-boat Club and missing the races.

It was the 32nd annual boat race, which draws hundreds of supporters, including parents and fellow students who lined the river banks in overalls sporting their university colours and made a big party of the occasion.

Security at the Port Alfred Ski-boat Club and on the Nico Malan Bridge was tight and prevented the shenanigans of years past when inebriated students dared each other to jump from the bridge.

Results:

Men's A

1st – University of Pretoria

2nd – University of Cape Town

3rd – University of Johannesburg

Women's A

1st – University of Pretoria

2nd – Rhodes University

3rd – University of Cape Town

Men's B

1st – University of Cape Town

Women's B

1st – Rhodes University

Novice Race

1st – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)

UCT was named the most improved crew.