The event will encompass a rowing distance of 1000 yards while the Madras-Colombo masters race will only run a distance of 500 yards.
The Madras-Colombo was inaugurated in the year 1898 by the Madras Boat Club and is known for being the 3rd oldest inter-institutional boat races in the world. It is noteworthy that this year, the Madras-Colombo regatta marks 119 years of this friendship and rivalry between two of the oldest rowing clubs in the region. The regatta sees the inclusion of both men’s and women’s categories with each category having a scull, double scull, pairs and fours. The winners will be decided on a point system based on timing.
The overall winners of the Men’s event will be awarded the prestigious Deepam Trophy while the Adyar Trophy will be awarded to the Women’s champions. The men’s races include two categories namely A and B, under which Coxless Four, Coxless Pair, Double Scull and Single Scull races will be held. The Women’s meet will comprise of Coxless Four, Coxless Pair, Double Scull and Single Scull races.
“It’s a nice feeling when we go to Madras and they visit us here. The hospitality is great and wish to take our bond forward. We are porud to say that this is the second oldest Regatte in the world.” – said Dinesh Deheragoda speaking at a media conference held on the occasion at the Colombo Rowing Club this evening.
The crews train for months and go through a gruelling selection process to represent their respective clubs and whether the crews are racing down the Beira lake in Colombo or Adyar in Chennai, the Madras- Colombo has always had a high standard of competition. This time around a total of 25 rowers from Sri Lanka and 18 Rowers from Madras will take part in the tournament.
As the birthplace of Rowing in Sri Lanka, Colombo Rowing Club (CRC) has played a pivotal role in nurturing and popularizing the sport. Established in 1867, only 3 years after the inception the CRC, the Madras Boat Club is known as one of the oldest clubs found in India. The close proximity between the two countries have largely contributed towards maintaining close associations between the two clubs.
