There was a grandstand finish to a magnificent three days of rowing action at the 129th annual Buffalo Regatta on Saturday despite heavy rain and lightning suspending the event for an hour and a half.
Officials finally gave the all- clear but a few events had to be cancelled. However, the rowers and officials took it all in their stride.
In the end the University of Pretoria (Tuks) finished top of the regatta points table, with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in second and St Albans in third.
Tuks also won the two major trophies on the day – the Silver Sculls and the Grand Challenge titles.
In the Silver Sculls race Olympic gold medallist James Thompson was in a class of his own to claim the title in style. He powered out the blocks well and took a good lead and once into his groove he did not look like he would be caught as he powered home in a time of 8:01:21 to finish over 10 seconds ahead of fellow Tuks rower James Brittain in second.
The Grand Challenge final of the senior men's A coxless fours also proved a bit one-sided, unlike last year.
It was the same two boats of Sizwe Ndlovu and Shaun Keeling that battled it out for glory but Ndlovu's boat took the lead from the outset and soon had an uncatchable lead.
On the local front Leander Rowing Club, the revived Buffalo Rowing Club, Clarendon School for Girls and Selborne College all did well to bring home medals.
Buffalo, in their first outing in many years, managed one bronze medal, while Clarendon claimed two golds, a silver and a bronze on the day and Selborne managed one gold, one silver and one bronze.
As for Leander they enjoyed a superb outing, bringing home six golds and a bronze for a superb haul. “The club did fantastically, ,” said club captain Kurt van Aardt.
“It was one of the biggest contingents we have put out on the water in the past 10 years so it shows the club is growing and all is going well.”
They entered a much larger field this year than last and their senior men's A coxed four did extremely well to retain the prestigious Panmure Plate.
The team of cox Jonas Gottwald, Van Aardt (bow), Graeme Baker, Jeff Jackson and stroke Dave Hartwanger powered home in 7:55:10, over 17 seconds ahead of the second-placed Old Edwardian Boat Club and 28 seconds ahead of third-placed University of Johannesburg.
Splash of gold for Leander rowers
Officials finally gave the all- clear but a few events had to be cancelled. However, the rowers and officials took it all in their stride.
In the end the University of Pretoria (Tuks) finished top of the regatta points table, with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in second and St Albans in third.
Tuks also won the two major trophies on the day – the Silver Sculls and the Grand Challenge titles.
In the Silver Sculls race Olympic gold medallist James Thompson was in a class of his own to claim the title in style. He powered out the blocks well and took a good lead and once into his groove he did not look like he would be caught as he powered home in a time of 8:01:21 to finish over 10 seconds ahead of fellow Tuks rower James Brittain in second.
The Grand Challenge final of the senior men's A coxless fours also proved a bit one-sided, unlike last year.
It was the same two boats of Sizwe Ndlovu and Shaun Keeling that battled it out for glory but Ndlovu's boat took the lead from the outset and soon had an uncatchable lead.
On the local front Leander Rowing Club, the revived Buffalo Rowing Club, Clarendon School for Girls and Selborne College all did well to bring home medals.
Buffalo, in their first outing in many years, managed one bronze medal, while Clarendon claimed two golds, a silver and a bronze on the day and Selborne managed one gold, one silver and one bronze.
As for Leander they enjoyed a superb outing, bringing home six golds and a bronze for a superb haul. “The club did fantastically, ,” said club captain Kurt van Aardt.
“It was one of the biggest contingents we have put out on the water in the past 10 years so it shows the club is growing and all is going well.”
They entered a much larger field this year than last and their senior men's A coxed four did extremely well to retain the prestigious Panmure Plate.
The team of cox Jonas Gottwald, Van Aardt (bow), Graeme Baker, Jeff Jackson and stroke Dave Hartwanger powered home in 7:55:10, over 17 seconds ahead of the second-placed Old Edwardian Boat Club and 28 seconds ahead of third-placed University of Johannesburg.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos