CBL-5: Pride Chasers Win at Kottapuram, Coast Dominators Slide to 3rd

THRISSUR:
Pride Chasers won the race today, emerging victors for the fourth consecutive time at the Champions Boat League (CBL-5) by pushing Ripple Breakers to the second place at Kottapuram in the IPL-model tournament organised by Kerala Tourism.

Coast Dominators finished third at the venue near Kodungallur in the district. The snake-boat section of CBL-5 had earlier seen Pride Chasers, rowing the Veeyapuram snakeboat owned by Veeyapuram Village Boat Club, finishing first at the races in Kainakary (Alappuzha), Thazhathangadi (Kottayam) and Piravom (Ernakulam).

As Ripple Breakers (Nadubhagam Chundan rowed by Punnamada Boat Club became the runner-up at Kottapuram, Coast Dominators (Melpadam Chundan rowed by Pallathuruthy Boat Club) suffered a setback by finishing third for the first time in this season and sliding from their rankings at the second place.

In fact, Coast Dominators initially dominated today’s final, but Ripple Breakers made an incredible leap from the middle of the race. Even so, Pride Chasers, cheered by fans, ended up the winner with a clear lead by displaying energy conservation and steady progression.

Ending fourth at Kottappuram was Chundan Warriors (Naduvile Paramban of Emmanuel Boat Club), followed by Super Oars (Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club). At the sixth position was Backwater Sharks (Cheruthana of Thekkekkara Boat Club), while Thunder Oars (Karichal of Karichal Chundan Boat Club) came seventh. At eighth was Backwaters Warriors (Payipadaan of Kumarakom Town Boat Club), while Wave Gliders (Champakulam of Changanassery Boat Club) finished last.

V.S. Sunilkumar, MLA, inaugurated the competitions. Present on the occasion were District Panchayat President V.S. Prince, Kodungallur Municipality Chairperson T.K. Geetha, Tourism Department Joint Director and CBL Nodal Officer Abhilash Kumar T.G. and Deputy Director Dr Ansar K.A.S (who is CBL State Coordinator) besides members of the CBL Technical Committee, municipality and three-tier Panchayat.

The club that wins first place in the championship will receive Rs 25 lakh, the second place winner will receive Rs 15 lakh. The third place winner will receive Rs 10 lakh. The winners of each competition will receive Rs. 5 lakh, Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh for the first, second and third place winners respectively. Each team will also receive a bonus of Rs. 4 lakh.