Medal flow continues for Gisborne clubs

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A golden Tuesday has been followed by a golden Wednesday morning for Gisborne clubs at the national waka ama sprints on Lake Karapiro.

Horouta Waka Hoe collected its first title for the week — pre-final favourites Puhi Kaiariki crew winning the junior 16 women’s W12 500 this morning.

Mareikura followed that up with Mareikura Nga Tama Taniwha winning the J16 men’s W12 500 final.

Puhi Kaiariki clocked 2 minutes 10.18 seconds to head off Tiare Maori (of Otahuhu club Te Paerangi) by 1.8secs.

Mareikura Nga Tama Taniwha won in 1.58.28, less than a second ahead of Mukuaki Taniwha Kai (Otaki Waka Hoe).

Horouta’s Hinepukohurangi got this morning off to a silver start in the first race of the day — the intermediate (11-13yrs) girls’ W6 500 final.

Hinepukohurangi were second in 2.31.31, finishing behind Rotokakahi (Te Au Rere club) in 2.29.18.

The morning medals followed midgets (10 and under) age group success for Mareikura YMP and Horouta yesterday.

Mareikura Wacky Waka crew were the stars — clinching gold in the midget girls’ W6 250 and W12 250 finals.

Horouta’s Hinetiakitai were third in the midget girls’ W6 250.

YMP’s Te Pahou crew won the midget boys’ W6 250 and YMP’s Te Arai were third in the midget boys’ W12 250.

Horouta Chaos were third in the midget boys’ W6 250 final.

Today’s programme features more junior and intermediate races, along with the corporate W12 500 race.

The prestigious W1 titles in all age groups will be decided tomorrow, with finals from 2.10pm and the premier women’s and men’s title-deciders bringing the day to a climactic conclusion.

Horouta crew Baby Heli’s added another gold to the coffers late this morning. The Heli’s won the J16 men’s W6 500 final in 1.55.88, with Manukau’s Ikale Tahi Red second in 1.59.67.