Some rowers practising on the Waikato river. Rowing is very popular in Hamilton. The University of Waikato has a world class rowing crew, both male and female. They compete annually against some of the best rowing universities in the world, including Harvard University & Cambridge University. The
Gallagher Great Race Festival is a rowing regatta on a 4.2km upstream course on the Waikato River through central Hamilton. It starts at Anne Street with the finish line at the Ferry Bank (Grantham St). The feature races of the festival sees the two premier University of Waikato crews (men & women) challenging International competition. The penultimate race of the festival has the two women's crews racing for the Bryan Gould Cup and then culminating in the actual "Great Race" between the two men's crews who race for the coveted Harry Mahon Trophy.
PREVIOUS CREWS
(w = winner)
MEN
2002 University of Waikato (w) vs Cambridge University (UK)
2003 University of Waikato (w) vs Oxford University (UK)
2004 University of Waikato vs Cambridge University (UK) (w)
2005 University of Waikato (w) vs University of Washington (USA)
2006 University of Waikato (w) vs Cambridge University (UK)
WOMEN
2004 University of Waikato (w) vs University of Melbourne (AUS)
2005 University of Waikato (w) vs Australian National Crew
2006 University of Waikato vs University of Melbourne (AUS) (w)
Hamilton is the home base of the Waikato Chiefs, a rugby team that competes in the Super 14 competition against other teams from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Tonight is a very important derby against the Canterbury Crusaders. A full house of 25 000 is expected for the game.
