The University of Otago will be out to defend its title at the national university rowing championships at Lake Hood, near Ashburton this weekend.
More than 310 rowers from eight universities around New Zealand are entered in the weekend festival of rowing, considered the most fiercely contested regatta in the university calendar.
Regatta officials and athletes have kept a close eye on ex-Cyclone Cook. The event was due to start yesterday but racing did not start, because of to the wet weather.
With conditions improving it is hoped racing will begin today. Strong fields will contest the blue riband championship eight — five male crews from four universities racing for the Hebberley Shield and six female crews from four universities competing for the Tamaki Cup.
Championship eights will be the face the challenge of a 3.2km or traditional two-mile course, longer than the standard 2km course which all other classes will tackle.
Otago will be chasing an 11th consecutive Tamaki Cup victory, against Lincoln University, Victoria University and the University of Canterbury.
Two Otago University crews will also be looking to keep possession of the Hebberley Shield but will be face tough competition from the University of Auckland, Lincoln University, University of Canterbury, and Victoria University.
The largest fields of the regatta are in the intermediate double sculls, where 14 crews are entered in each of the men’s and women’s events. Classes
range from novice, tournament, intermediate and championship, in a variety of boats, depending on the grade.The event was scheduled to finish tomorrow but will now finish on Monday.
