Harvard University has won the annual Waikato River Great Race beating off Cambridge University with Waikato University in third place
Harvard, which had never won the Gallagher Great Race in its 14 year history, led all of the way over the nearly 4 km upstream race in Hamilton.
The victorious Harvard rowing crew. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
In the women's race, Waikato University won beating Sydney and Melbourne universities.
A powhiri for the visiting Great Race teams from Harvard, Cambridge, Melbourne and Sydney universities. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
A powhiri was held on the University of Waikato marae on Wednesday.
The Waikato men's crew has won nine of the 13 Great Races which are raced upstream over a 3.85km course.
Last year the Waikato and Harvard oars clashed near the start of the race and Waikato oarsman Richard Power fell out of the boat. The race was restarted from that spot, which attracted some criticism from Harvard. Waikato ended up winning the race.
Harvard captain James O'Connor Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
