The Gallagher Great Race rowed this weekend

by Event Media on 31 Aug 2006 The 2006 Gallagher Great Race will be a contest between the University of Waikato and Cambridge University from the UK. Cambridge University are the only challenging university to have won the coverted Harry Mahon trophy with their narrow victory in 2004.

The Gallagher Great Race is New Zealand's most talked about rowing event. On Saturday 2nd September the Waikato River will play host to the titanic clash between Waikato University and Cambridge University, so organisers of The Gallagher Great Race are urging people to be on the banks of the Waikato River earlier than ever this year.

The Great Race starts at Anne Street and races upstream to the finish line under Victoria Bridge (Ferry Bank).

World Wide Live Commentary
The 2006 Gallagher Great Race will be broadcast live on the internet. If you are overseas or have friends overseas suggest they tune in and listen. The Great Race starts at 2:00pm on Saturday 2nd September (note that would be 3:00am in England on Saturday 2nd).

Live Internet Stream : www.radiosport.co.nz/listenlive


What is the Great Race?
The Great Race is a 4.8km long rowing race on the Waikato river. The race takes place between the University of Waikato Senior Men's 8 crew and an international University crew (previously Cambridge, Oxford and Washington Universities) who are invited to NZ to compete. The race is upstream, against the current. The quality of the two crews are world class and the race is one which is recognized internationally and supported wholeheartedly by Rowing NZ.

The visiting crew
The visiting crew is flown out to New Zealand and entertained for the period of their stay. In the past this has included accommodation and use of the world class rowing facilities at Lake Karapiro. A full itinerary is organized for the crew, which allows them to really get a taste of New Zealand. This includes day trips to places of interest in the North Island (Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Taupo), evening entertainment, trips to the rugby etc. Boathouse Events aim to make their stay in New Zealand a truly memorable one and past crews have commented that this has really helped strengthen team bonding as well as being a whole heap of fun!

The race is treated very seriously by both crews and visiting coxwains and coaches are given full briefings on the complexities of the Waikato river and the race course.

The event has an extremely high profile in the Hamilton community and as such the visiting crews attract a lot of media attention and media interviews, sponsors dinners and press conferences are organized during their stay.

What are they racing for?
A trophy and medals are presented to the winning team but it is the feeling of honour and the pride associated with winning that is what the two crews race for. Visiting crews compete for the harry mahon trophy. Harry Mahon was one of the most influential coaches of the 1980s in NZ and Internationally, leading many crews to World Championship and Olympic Medals. Harry Mahon died of liver cancer in 2001.

What boats are used for the race?
2 identical Heavyweight Men's 8+s (eights) from KIRS (kiwi international Rowing Skiffs) in Cambridge, who have a reputation for building medal winning boats at World Championship & Olympic level have been custom built for the Great Race.

The course
The current flows from the East to the West bank as it makes it's way from Karapiro to Port Waikato, the current switches sides frequently from side to side over the 4.8km course which creates an advantage to the side that the current is not on.

The current ranges in speed from 1.3m/s to .64m/s which is usually it's fastest and slowest speeds. This current speed can slow a rowing boat down by 1.5km/ph over the length of a race

The Event Day
The event draws crowds of 20,000 + to the river banks in Hamilton. The Great Race begins at 2pm and is covered by National Radio and Television and commentated by Peter Montgomery (the voice of the Americas Cup!).

Prior to the main race the banks of the river are filled with children's entertainment, food and drink stalls, corporate hosting, street theatre, displays, competitions and markets. A main stage is set up over the river where popular NZ bands and local acts perform.

On the water rowing racing starts at 9am with corporate and secondary school races. The curtain raiser for the Gallagher Great Race is the University of Waikato Senior Womens 8+ racing against an international crew. 2006 sees the Waikato Women challenging Melbourne University.

A Haka is performed on the boat ramp and a Waka leads off the two crews to the start line. A 40 square metre screen allows those at the finish line to watch the race live and speakers lining the banks of the river (both at the start and finish) allow spectators to listen to the live commentary to ensure that no one misses out no matter where they are watching the race from.

Prizegiving takes place on the main stage with speeches and the traditional 'dunking' of the winning coxwain and then its off to the ball for everyone to let their hair down and enjoy a spectacular evenings entertainment and celebration.

The Bryan Gould Cup
In addition to the Gallagher Great Race, The University of Waikato Womens crew will be defending the Bryan Gould Cup from the challenge of Melbourne University Womens 8. This race competes on the same 4.8km course as the Great Race.

Official website: www.thegreatrace.co.nz

Race Program:

Race Day Entertainment

The Gallagher Great Race event runs from 9.30am until 3pm on Saturday 2nd September. Entertainment will be based around Grantham Street and the Ferry Bank Park. A super screen will be located on the banks so you don't miss any of the rowing action! There are plenty of activities planned to make this a truly great day out for the family.

There is a fantastic line up of rowing races on the river starting from 9.30am.

9:30am Environment Waikato Great Kayak Race
10.00am Holdfast Million Metre Row begins
10.00am Arrow International Charity Walk Starts
10.30am Arrow International Charity Run Starts
11.00am Corporate Racing final
11.15am Waikato Management School Secondary School Girls Race
11.55am Waikato Management School Secondary School Boys Race
12.10pmam Community Concert
12.45am BRYAN GOULD CUP:
University of Waikato women v Melbourne University women

2.00pm THE GALLAGHER GREAT RACE:
Waikato University Men's 8+ vs Cambridge University Men's 8+

Don't miss..

10.50am Toss of the Coin. Introduction to Great Race Crews and coin toss to decide stations for race (east or west). Including coxswain weigh in

1.00pm Great Race Crews Haka : Hamilton Rowing Club Boatramp

2.30pm Great Race Prizegiving