Titahi Bay exacted revenge on its Australian counterparts at Piha yesterday, leading from the start to win the final of the Surf Lifesaving Day of the Giants.
In an innovative race series with each crew completing two continuous rows to the buoy line, the Wellingtonians finished five boatlengths ahead of the Victoria Jan Juc crew.
"The two times to the buoy line is a great form of racing," said Titahi Bay sweep Paul McVicar.
The strong northeasterlies kept the waves to the occasional metre high, which was disappointing for the New Zealand and Australian teams.
Titahi Bay still felt the disappointment of a second place last year and were determined to reverse the result.
The majority at Piha described their success this year as impressive.
"It was good to get a win over them after we finished second last year," said McVicar.
He said series made a great spectacle for crews and supporters.
Although conditions were not too demanding, the pace and skill of Titahi Bay made a tremendous difference.
"My crew went really well today and what we achieved is excellent build up to the nationals at Ohope in mid March," he said. Titahi Bay beat the top Australian crew at the transtasman test series at Bondi in November and won the Queensland Cup on Australia Day. The surfboat carnival at Piha continues today with the fourth and final round of the Trillion Trust surfboat series.
