SCHOOLS
Maadi Cup
The highlight of high school sports
Words: Row360
PHOTOGRAPHY ROWING NEW ZEALAND
The New Zealand Secondary School Championships, commonly known as the Maadi Cup, is New Zealand’s biggest annual secondary school sports event. It is a massive event lasting 6 days; this year was the 75th edition and took place from Monday 28th March to Saturday 2nd April. The location alternates each year, odd years are held at Lake Karapiro in the North Island, and even years at Lake Ruataniwha in the South Island. This year it was the South Islanders turn to host.
Owing to Covid concerns the schedule was slimmed down, nevertheless over 1300 rowers entered the competition, accompanied by 267 coaches from 95 schools. The rowing talent was widespread and significant wins came from schools across New Zealand. The Star Trophy, for overall champion school, was won by Rangi Ruru who beat Wakatipu High School and Hamilton Boys High School by five points. Winning an event is worth five points, three for second, and one for third; in total Rangi Ruru scored 29 points.
Despite this season’s backdrop of Covid-related interruptions the Maadi Cup produced a glorious spectacle of fiercely competitive races.
Pride of Picton Part II
Charlotte Lightfoot, from Picton, secured a gold medal for Marlborough’s Queen Charlotte College in the U18 girls’ single scull. She was the sole representative from her high school. Last year she won the coxless pairs, which was the first Maadi medal won by Queen Charlotte College in more than ten years.
Lightfoot took the top spot at every round on route to her single sculls’ gold medal. After winning her heat, quarter-final, and semi-final she crossed the final finish line almost two seconds clear of second place. Despite her dominant performances Lightfoot later confessed to the press that she was “pretty freaked out” and was “really worried about how I was going to do”.