The weeds were a problem first and then the winds. With weeds cutting into the race lanes on Saturday morning, the 32nd National junior rowing championship had to be shifted from its original venue, near the SAI Centre on the Punnamada Lake here, to another spot a few miles away.
And the third day's events, which were supposed to start at 9.30 a.m., began after more than a five-hour delay. But though the new venue, a wide course, looked to be an ideal one at first, heavy winds a little later played havoc with the day's schedule.
Only half of the day's semifinals could be completed with the winds frequently pushing the boats to one side.
Surprises
However, despite the tough conditions, there were few surprises. Orissa and Tamil Nadu entered the girls' coxless pairs final while Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Orissa booked the four final berths in the boys' double sculls.
In the boys' coxless pairs, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh will clash for the title while Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Kerala and Andamans moved to the girls' coxless fours trophy round.
The race officials plan to conduct the remaining semifinals on Sunday morning and the finals in the afternoon.
The finalists:
Boys: Double sculls: Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa. Coxless pairs: Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh. Coxless fours: Maharashtra, Kerala.
Girls: single sculls: Manipur, Madhya Pradesh. Coxless pairs: Orissa, Tamil Nadu. Coxless fours: Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Kerala, Andamans.
