Waka Wonder Woman

Horouta Waka Hoe’s Akayshia Williams celebrates her victory in the premier women’s W1 500 final at the waka ama sprint nationals on Lake Karapiro. Williams will look to complete a W1 double for the fourth year running when the week-long champs end with the premier and junior 19 W1 250 metres dash races. She won the J19 W1 500 and dash titles from 2014 to 2016. Picture by Garrick Cameron Photography

GISBORNE paddlers continued their medal mission with regional and club success on the penultimate day of the waka ama sprint nationals on Lake Karapiro.

Day 5 culminated in premier regional W12 500 races. Gisborne is part of Te Uranga o te Ra region, which, as expected, was prominent in both races.

Te Uranga o te Ra won the women’s race with an all-Horouta Waka Hoe club crew ranging in age from juniors to masters including three paddlers who won W1 titles on Thursday. The Te Uranga o te Ra crew finished 2½ seconds ahead of Te Puku o te Ika, with Auckland third.

The premier men’s race brought the day to a close. Te Uranga o te Ra, again dominated by Horouta paddlers, had a humdinger battle with Te Puku o te Ika, who crossed the line just 0.48 seconds ahead.

Earlier, Horouta Waka Hoe and Mareikura clubs picked up medals as eight W12 club finals were decided. Horouta’s crack Kaiarahi Toa crew, comprising a range of age groups, were in a class of their own in the premier women’s W12 500. They finished 11 seconds ahead of the silver medallists.

Another gold was added to Horouta’s coffers with Ohinewaiapu winning the junior 19 women’s W12 title. Horouta also picked up a silver through the Blaqua crew in the master men’s W12 500.

Mareikura’s Hiko crew were involved in one of the races of the day. They were third in the junior 19 men’s W12 final in which less than a second separated the top three finishers.

Huge day of racing for final day todayThe week-long nationals finish today with a huge day of racing on which 26 titles will be decided.

Racing ends with the premier and J19 250m dash events featuring most of the top W1 paddlers in those age groups including eight Horouta paddlers — Akayshia Williams and Kiwi Campbell in the premier women’s race, Bruce Campbell and Grant Donaldson in the premier men, Rangi-Riana Williams and Pharyn Calles in the J19 women, and Keanu Wainohu-Kemp and Darius Apanui-Nep in the J19 men.