ALAPPUZHA:
Smartly overtaking their arch-rivals Mighty Oars in the last ten metres, reigning champions Tropical Titans registered their fifth consecutive win in the ninth round of the Champions Boat League (CBL-2) today, while Raging Rowers finished third at one of the most spirited races in the IPL-style water event.
Mighty Oars (traditionally NCDC, rowing the Nadubhagam snake-boat) looked set to win the final at Pandanad near Chengannur this evening, but lost to Tropical Titans (Pallathuruthy Boat Club, on Mahadevikad Kattil Thekkethil) by mere 46 microseconds. The winners clocked 3:42.17 minutes as against the runner-up’s 3:42.63. With Raging Rowers (Kerala Police Boat Club, Champakulam) coming third (3:46.25), the results was a repetition of the races in Thazhathangadi last Saturday and its preceding Kainakary (October 22).
The first 200 metres along Pampa river troubled Tropical Titans, who were rowing on the third track in the final. Down halfway, Mighty Oars maintained a clear lead. Towards the end, stiff competition emerged from the reigning champions. The finishing point threw an unsure picture for the cheering crowd, who were left at the mercy of the official announcement to learn the results.
Even the race for the second loser’s final ended up in a photo-finish. There, Ripple Breakers (Punnamada Boat Club, Veeyapuram) emerged the victor, slotting themselves in the fourth position at Pandanad. Pride Chasers (Vembanad Boat Club, Payippad) finished fifth, as they did at Thazhathangadi (off Kottayam) last weekend. Backwater Knights (Village Boat Club, Devas) finished sixth, while Coast Dominators (UBC Kainakary) slipped to seventh. At the eighth and ninth positions in Pandanad were Backwater Warriors (Town Boat Club, St Pious Tenth) and Thunder Oars (KBC-SFBC, Ayaparambu Pandi) respectively.
The next round CBL-2 is slated at Kayamkulam in this district on November 12. The final of the nine-boat tournament by Kerala Tourism is at Kollam on November 26.
With today’s Pandanad races, Tropical Titans retain their top position with 88 points, followed by Mighty Oars (78) and Raging Rowers (68). Ripple Breakers are at the fourth with 61 points, and next are Pride Chasers (54). Coast Dominators (47) stand sixth, while Backwater Knights (33) come seventh, followed by Backwater Warriors (30) and Thunder Oars (27).
Health Minister Smt Veena George presided over today’s function, which was inaugurated by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine. Local Self-Government and Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh was the chief guest amid the presence of legislator Saji Cheriyan and members of local civic bodies.
Each participating team will get Rs 4 lakh in every league match. Besides, the winner will get an additional Rs 5 lakh, followed by Rs 3 lakh for the runner-up and Rs 1 lakh for the second runner-up.
The CBL-2 venue after next Saturday’s Kayamkulam is Kallada in Kollam district (November 19) followed by the finals in Kollam.
The inaugural of CBL-2 was in Alappuzha on September 4, while the finals on November 26 at Kollam will coincide with the famed President’s Trophy.
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