Aussie guests put down their marker in the Aon Maadi Cup

Aussie guests put down their marker in the Aon Maadi Cup

The highlight of the day for the many hundreds of spectators – a feature of the biggest regatta in the Southern hemisphere throughout its six day duration – was the first showing of the Aon Maadi Cup boats from the leading rowing schools, but the top crew in 2012 may well not come from New Zealand shores.

Fastest qualifier for the final was not an established Kiwi school crew but the Australian boat from St Joseph’s Nudgee college in Brisbane ruffled a few feathers by leading home holders Auckland Grammar and fancied runners Marlborough Boys College and former multiple champions Hamilton Boys School.

The Australian boys can take the gold medal, but rules dictate the domestic schools title and cup must remain on kiwi shores. What that means is that should the Australians win the final, and as fastest qualifier they clearly have a chance, then it will be the first New Zealand crew home that will secure the Aon Maadi Cup.

Westlake Boys predictably won the second heat, from Christ’s College and Macleans and it is Westlake and Nudgee who qualify directly for Saturday’s final, with the holders and a host of other top school names consigned to battle it out in Wednesday’s repechage.

Life is a little less complicated for the women’s eights – racing for the Levin Jubilee Cup – and it was St Margaret’s who scored the early psychological win with a two second win over holders Waikato Diocesan. These two go through to the final and were comfortably ahead of Craighead Diocesan in third. The Waikato’s honour was maintained in the other heat with St Peters taking a dominant win ahead of Wanganui Collegiate.

Outside of the big boats and it was Timaru’s lightning Under 18 boys’ double scull of Russell and Cameron Crampton who caught the eye, dominating their heat in style and being the fastest qualifier for that event by a considerable margin.

There was also an extremely tight finish in a high quality boys’ Junior 17 coxed fours event, with the first three crews – Macleans, St Peters and Westlake – covered by around half a second. With those three fastest, Westlake will hope for an easy ride through the rep so that the fierce battle can be resumed in the final.

Widely regarded as the biggest schools regatta in the Southern hemisphere, it is the pinnacle of junior rowing in New Zealand. Most of the country’s top rowers will have competed in the regatta at some stage and all are aware of the fierce competition it produces. The 2012 Aon Maadi Cup has attracted 1773 competitors who make up 1298 crews over 48 events, with 837 of those racing on their first visit to Twizel.

ENDS

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