Water olympics: Gabriel chundan lifts trophy in photo finish race

Alappuzha: Gabriel chundan of Thuruthipuram Boat Club has lifted the trophy at the 65th edition of the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Saturday, finishing in 4.17 minutes.  Mahadevikad Kattilthekkethu rowed by United Boat Club Kainakari finished second taking 4.17.72 minutes while Payipad Chundan rowed by Vembanad Boat Club finished third (4.17.99) and Karichal Chundan of Town Boat Club Kumarakom fourth (4.19). Chiramel Thottukada- van of New Drops Boat Club Kainakari defeated Abraham Monnu Thaikkal in the veppu ‘B’grade category. 

In iruttukuthy ‘B’ category Vadakkumnathan rowed by Vadakkunathan Boat Club Thrissur and churulan category Velangadan rowed by NBC Kumarakom were victorious. In the exhibition competition of snake boats, Vadakke Attupuram rowed by Friends Boat Club Punnamada won. Sarathi boat rowed by Puthoorans Boat Club Alappuzha won in ‘thekkenodi thara’ category, and Chellikadan rowed by Sreevalsam Vanitha Boat Club, Cheruthana, won in ‘kettuvallam’ category.

The defects of the mechanical starting device had delayed the races in the afternoon. The organisers had introduced a new device claimed to be foolproof this year, as the starting point had created problems on earlier occasions.  The participants became restive as there was an undue delay, as officials managed to resolve the issue. Complaints of inclusion of rowers from other states beyond the stipulated 25 percent by some boat clubs added to the confusion in the final lap.