Royal College rowing crew managed to up-lift the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy, by outclassing their arch rivals, St. Thomas' college at the 38th annual Royal Thomian regatta. In the process the royal crew was able to win the 42nd boat race as well. The event was held at the Colombo Rowing Club on Saturday, 22nd October 2011 from 2.00 pm onwards.
The regatta was a full of excitement and both crews staged very close races but St. Thomas' crew won only one event - junior double scull which carries 4 points. The rest of the races were won by the Reed avenue boys recording a 48-4 victory.
One special incident in the regatta was both junior and senior fours were rowed under lights. Junior four was rowed at about 6.30 and the senior four, which is the boat race - 42nd this time, was started at about 7.00 pm. This was a newly added feature to the sri lankan rowing and which certainly helped both crews to hit new records in timings by providing favorable rowing conditions. This time regatta was organized by the Royal College.
Regatta format:
Races were rowed down in a 1000 yards course. Regatta is composed of 10 races, out of 2, which carry no points, in fact exhibition races. The remaining 8 races are further categorized as junior(4) and senior(4) races.
