Royal Thomian Regatta
The Royal Thomian Regatta is the annual rowing race between traditional school rivals Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia. Begun in 1962 as the Royal Thomian Boat Race it later evolved into a regatta in 1966 and now compromises of 8 events. It is among the oldest and most prestigious Royal-Thomian sporting encounters.
| Royal-Thomian Regatta | |
|---|---|
 The TN Fernando Trophy. Awarded to the Overall Winner of the Regatta | |
| Sport | Rowing |
| Timeline | 19661 – present |
| Tournament format | Annual Rowing regatta Side by Side races |
| Participants | Royal College S. Thomas' College |
| Current champion | Royal College (32-20) in 2019 |
| Most successful | S. Thomas' 23 Royal 22 Tie 5 |
| Royal-Thomian Boat Race, Royal-Thomian Regatta | |
|---|---|
| Timeline | 19621 – present |
| Current champion | Royal College |
| Most successful | S. Thomas' 26 Royal 24 |
| Most consecutive wins | 5 wins- Royal(2015-2019) |
The races are rowed over a distance of 1000 yards and take place on the Beira Lake in Colombo. The regatta takes place in the month of October and is usually held on the last Saturday of the month at the Colombo Rowing Club. The Royal Thomian Regatta is the oldest inter-school rowing regatta in Sri Lanka, with Royal being the first school to take up school rowing in the country and S.Thomas' following suit a few years later.
The Boat Race is still regarded as the most prestigious race of the regatta and is rowed for the Royal Thomian Boat Race Trophy (also known in the rowing fraternity as the 'Crossed Oars'). The overall winner of the Regatta is awarded the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy.
Having begun in 1962 'The Regatta' is the 3rd oldest sporting encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas' College, after the Battle of the Blues Cricket Encounter and the Rugby Encounter.
History
Royal College first began rowing in 1953 and was the first school in Ceylon to do so, the first Captain was Alavi Mohomed. S. Thomas' College began rowing a few years later. In the following years the idea of a race between the two schools was agreed upon and in 1962 the first Boat Race was held on the Beira Lake at the Colombo Rowing Club and the Royalist's led by L.A.W. Sirisena beat the Thomians led by C.N. Sirimanne by 1 boat length and were the first holders of the Boat Race Trophy. S. Thomas' won their first Boat Race in 1964 beating Royal by 3 lengths. S.Thomas' continued to win the Boat Race trophy for three years after creating the largest series of successive wins that has not been beaten to the present day.
In 1966, the first Royal Thomian Regatta was held with a line-up of 6 events namely Coxed Fours, Coxed Pairs (rowed coxless in the present day), and Single Sculls in two senior and junior categories.
Between 1973 and 1979 the regatta was not held due to a dispute between the two schools. The series was revived in 1980 and continues to the present except in 2006 when the regatta was not held.
In 2007 the Royal College led by Maalik Aziz created history by winning all races and winning the Overall Trophy with a margin of 40 points to nil. Royal College created new record timings for most events including lowering the Boat Race Trophy record by 8 secs to 3 mins 11 secs.[1]
In 2008, history was written yet again with S.Thomas' returning the favour in kind in a hard fought regatta of 32-8 resulting in every record being broken. S'Thomas' College led by Manil Salgadoe and Devaan Hallock made most of the records including the Boat race (3.06). Royal College managed to scrape in two records to stay in the count in the Junior Coxed Four (rowed for eight points ) and the exhibition Junior 'B' Four race (carries no points).[2]
In 2011, the Royal College Rowing Team led by skipper Chirath Karunanayake added a few more records into the books. Among the records set were; a) The biggest winning margin Royal 48-04 (2011) (subsequently broken in 2016 by Royal College) b) A new overall course record and the first ever sub-three minute race, for the Senior Four - 2:55 (Crew consisting of Chirath Karunanayake (B), Ajmal Sideek (2), Jehan Smarasekera (3), Sanjiva Jayasuriya (S) and coxed by Pasan Ranaweera) c) Junior Four - 3:03 d) Senior Pair - 3:12 e) Senior Sculls - 3:28 f) Junior Sculls - 3:29. S.Thomas' only managed to win the B double and the Junior 'B' four, the latter event carries no points.
In 2015, for the first time in the Royal Thomian history, both crews managed to clock below 3 minutes at the boat race. The crew timings were as follows: Royal College 2:56 (Praveen Hapugalle, Prathap Perera, Amrith Fernando, Sajid Ajmal (S), Kaveen Rajapakse) and S.Thomas' 2:57 (Senal Senevirathne, Suramba Serasinghe, Ramith Nanayakkara, Saliya Gunasekera (S), Wishmitha Peiris).
In 2016, the highest number of trophies won in a regatta was achieved by Royal College led by Kaveen Rajapakse with a new tally of 50-02. S.Thomas' only secured the Junior Scull race worth two points that year. Currently this is the highest margin of victory in the Royal Thomian Regatta history.
In 2018, Royal College managed to get their 4th consecutive win and retain both T. N. Fernando trophy and the Boat Race trophy.
In 2019, The Royal Thomian Regatta celebrated its Golden Jubilee event and was attended by a host of past captains and many well wishers.[3] Royal College Rowing Crew captained by Sajaad Ajmal was able to retain both T.N. Fernando Memorial Trophy and Boat Race trophies for the 5th year in a row which was the first time either institutions achieved this feat. In another first, the Most Outstanding Oarsman trophy was shared by four oarsmen Sajaad Ajmal, Jehan Hapugalle, Mayukha Gamage & Maliq Hassen each contributing in events worth 20 points in favour of Royal College.
Race Format
All Races are rowed over the distance of 1000 yards on the Beira Lake course.
Each event has specific number of points allotted towards it the aggregate points is equal 40 points (up to 2008), the winner of the each event/race receives these points and at the end of the regatta the school with the highest aggregate of points will be declared the Overall Winner and be the holders of the T. Noel Fernando Trophy.
| Event | Notation | Points | Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Race | A4+ | 12 | Royal Thomian Boat Race Trophy |
| Senior Coxless Pairs | A2- | 8 | Freddie Ruax Trophy |
| Senior Double Sculls | A2x | 8 | Inaugural Trophy (Sirisena-Sirimanne Trophy) |
| Senior Single Sculls | A1x | 6 | Senior Sculls Challenge Trophy |
| Junior Coxed Fours | B4+ | 8 | Eraj Wijesinghe Trophy |
| Junior Coxless Pairs | B2- | 4 | Chula Samarasinghe Challenge Trophy |
| Junior Double Sculls | B2x | 4 | Revival Trophy (Phillps- Moheed Trophy) |
| Junior Single Sculls | B1x | 2 | Ajith Goonawardena Challenge Trophy |
In 1999, The Junior 'B' Coxed Fours was introduced but the event carries no points.
| Junior 'B' Coxed Fours | C4+ | None | Percy Fernando Trophy |
In 2008, Senior and Junior Double Sculls will be introduced as exhibition events. In 2009 Senior and Junior Double Sculls were awarded 8 and 4 points respectively, with inclusion of the two doubles sculls the overall regatta will be worth 52 points. A Under 16 Fours event was added on the program and the race carries no points.
Records
Boat Race
| School | Wins |
|---|---|
| Royal | 24 |
| S. Thomas | 26 |
| Year | Winner | Time | Royal Wins | S. Thomas' Wins | Boat and Class | Overall Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Royal | 3:35 | 1 | 0 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1963 | Royal | 4:04.5 | 2 | 0 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1964 | S. Thomas | 3:45.5 | 2 | 1 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1965 | S. Thomas | 3:55.8 | 2 | 2 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 1966 | S. Thomas | 3:55 | 2 | 3 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1967 | S. Thomas | 3:55 | 2 | 4 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1968 | Royal | 3:47 | 3 | 4 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1969 | Royal | 3:56.5 | 4 | 4 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1970 | Royal | 3:48.8 | 5 | 4 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1971 | S. Thomas | 3:52.5 | 5 | 5 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 1972 | Royal | 3:47 | 6 | 5 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1973–1979 | Regatta not held | |||||
| 1980 | S. Thomas | 6 | 6 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | ||
| 1981 | Royal | 3:49 | 7 | 6 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1982 | Royal | 3:47 | 8 | 6 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1983 | S. Thomas | 3:40 | 8 | 7 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1984 | S. Thomas | 3:47 | 8 | 8 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1985 | Royal | 3:40 | 9 | 8 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1986 | S. Thomas | 3:29 | 9 | 9 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1987 | Royal | 3:38 | 10 | 9 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1988 | Royal | 3:40 | 11 | 9 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1989 | S. Thomas | 3:58 | 11 | 10 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 1990 | Royal | 3:37 | 12 | 10 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1991 | S. Thomas | 3:37 | 12 | 11 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 1992 | Royal | 3:32 | 13 | 11 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1993 | Royal | 3:35.4 | 14 | 11 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Tie |
| 1994 | S. Thomas | 3:42 | 14 | 12 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1995 | S. Thomas | 3:38 | 14 | 13 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1996 | S. Thomas | 3:38 | 14 | 14 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | |
| 1997 | S. Thomas | 3:32 | 14 | 15 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 1998 | Royal | 3:39 | 15 | 15 | Clinker Fours/Training-Wooden | Royal |
| 1999 | S. Thomas | 3:21 | 15 | 16 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 2000 | Royal | 3:20 | 16 | 16 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| 2001 | Royal | 3:22 | 17 | 16 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| October 26, 2002 | S. Thomas | 3:21 | 17 | 17 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| October 25, 2003 | S. Thomas | 3:26 | 17 | 18 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | Tie |
| October 30, 2004 | S. Thomas | 3:20 | 17 | 19 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | S. Thomas |
| October 29, 2005 | S. Thomas | 3:19 | 17 | 20 | Empacher Fours/Racing-Wooden | Tie |
| 2006 | Regatta not held | |||||
| October 27, 2007 | Royal | 3:11 | 18 | 20 | Club Racers/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 25, 2008 | S. Thomas | 3:06 | 18 | 21 | Club Racers/Racing-Fiberglass | S. Thomas |
| October 24, 2009 | S. Thomas | 3:02 | 18 | 22 | Club Racers/Racing-Fiberglass | S. Thomas |
| October 23, 2010 | S. Thomas | 3:07 | 18 | 23 | Club Racers/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 22, 2011 | Royal | 2:55* | 19 | 23 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 27, 2012 | S. Thomas | 3:04 | 19 | 24 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | S. Thomas |
| October 26, 2013 | S. Thomas | 3:04 | 19 | 25 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | S. Thomas |
| October 25, 2014 | S. Thomas | 3:03 | 19 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | S. Thomas |
| October 24, 2015 | Royal | 2:56* | 20 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 22, 2016 | Royal | 3:08 | 21 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 28, 2017 | Royal | 3:12 | 22 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 27, 2018 | Royal | 3:07 | 23 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| October 26, 2019 | Royal | 3:00 | 24 | 26 | International/Racing-Fiberglass | Royal |
| Event | Trophy | Royal College | S' Thomas' College | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Race | Boat Race Trophy | 24 | 26 | |
| Junior Fours | Eraj Wijesinghe Trophy | 21 | 17 | |
| Senior Pairs | Freddie Raux Trophy | 21 | 11 | |
| Senior Sculls | Senior Sculls Challenge Trophy | 10 | 17 | 01 |
| Junior Pairs | Chula Samarasinghe Challenge Trophy | 16 | 06 | |
| Junior Sculls | Ajith Goonawardena Challenge Trophy | 08 | 13 | |
| Senior Double Sculls | Inaugural Trophy(Sirisena-Sirimanne Trophy) | 06 | 04 | |
| Junior Double Sculls | Revival Trophy (Mohdeen-Phillips Trophy) | 06 | 04 | |
| Junior B Fours | Percy Fernando Memorial Trophy | 11 | 06 |
Most Outstanding Oarsman of the Regatta
The Oarsman with highest individual aggregate of points at the end of the regatta is awarded the Most Outstanding Oarsman of the Regatta Trophy.
Previous Winners
- 2001 Talal Shums (RC) -14 points (A4+,B1x)
- 2002 Tharindu Gunesekara (STC) -20 Points (A4+,A2+)
- 2003 Isuru Perera (STC) -18 Points (A4+,A1x)
- 2004 Isuru Perera (STC) -18 Points (A4+,A1x)
- 2005 Maalik Aziz (RC) -16 Points (B4+,A2-)
- 2007 Maalik Aziz (RC)(A4+,B2-,A1x) / Dinouk J. Perera (RC) -22 Points (A4+,A2-,B1x)
- 2008 Devaan Hallock(STC) -22 Points (A4+,A2-,B1x)
- 2009 Sajeev De Silva(STC) -30 Points (A4+,B2-,A2x,A1x)
- 2010 Sajeev De Silva(STC) -18 Points (A4+,A1x)
- 2011 Chirath Karunanayake (RC) -26 Points (A4+,A2x,A1x)
- 2012 Ming-Hua Chang/Ramith Nanayakkara (STC)- 20 points (A4+,A2x)
- 2013 Sandesh Bartlett (STC) - 26 points (A1x,A2x,A4+)
- 2014 Ramith Nanayakkara/Vishan Gunatilleka (STC) 20 points (A4+,A2-)
- 2015 Sajid Ajmal/Praveen Hapugalla (RC) - 20 points (A4+, A2-)
- 2016 Hashen Hettigoda(RC) - 26 points (A4+,A2×,A1x)
- 2017 Hashen Hettigoda(RC) - 26 points (A4+,A2×,A1x)
- 2018 Sajaad Ajmal/Abdulla Hassen(RC) - 20 points (A4+, A2-)
- 2019 Sajaad Ajmal/Mayukha Gamage(RC)(A4+, A2-) /Jehan Hapugalle/Maliq Hassen(RC)(A4+, A2×) - 20 points
Statistics
| Event | Best Time Royal | Year | Best Time S. Thomas' | Year | Record holding Crew | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Race | 2:55* | 2011 | 2.57 | 2015 | Chirath Karunanayake (B)Ajmal Sideek(2)Jehan Samarasekara(3)Sanjiva Jayasuriya(S)Pasan Ranaweera(Cox) | Royal |
| Junior Fours | 3.03* | 2011 | 3.03* | 2013 | Arith Cooray(B)Ishan Perera(2)Sahan Warnasooriya(3)Dulaj Rajaguru(S)Dhanushka Perera(Cox) | Royal |
| Senior Pairs | 3.12* | 2011&2016 | 3.14 | 2011 | Sahan Warnasuriya (B) Sanjiva Jayasuriya (S) (2011)|Praveen Hapugalle (B) Thimesha Amarasinghe (S)(2016) | Royal |
| Senior Sculls | 3.28' | 2011 | 3.23* | 2013 | Sandesh Bartlett | S. Thomas |
| Senior Double Sculls | 3.12 | 2009 | 3.09* | 2009 | Ruven Weerasinghe(B)Sajeev De Silva(S) | S. Thomas |
| Junior Pairs | 3.19 | 2011 | 3.18* | 2013 | Ramith Nanayakkara(B)Ming-Hua Chang(S) | S. Thomas |
| Junior Sculls | 3.29 | 2011 | 3.28* | 2013 | Vishan Gunatilleke | S. Thomas |
| Junior Double Sculls | 3.11* | 2013 | 3.18 | 2011/2013 | Bilal Hassan(B)Dulaj Rajaguru(S) | Royal |
| Junior B Fours | 3.12* | 2019 | 3.13 | 2019 | Maneth Pothupitiya(B) Minula Algoda(2) Raaidh Omar(3) Dinal Aluthgama(S) Thaviru Hettiarachchi(cox) | Royal |
* denotes series record
- Won 3 or more Boat Races
S. Thomas'
- C H L Sirimanne 1965,1966,1967
- Isuru Perera 2002,2003,2004
- Dejan De Zoysa 2002,2003,2004
- Dineshka Aluwihare 2003,2004,2005
- Anuraddha Nadaraja 2012,2013,2014
- Ramith Nanayakkara 2012,2013,2014
- Kamil Peter (cox) 2012,2013,2014
Royal
- E R Perera 1968,1969,1970
- Percy Fernando 1969,1970,1972
- Nalin Samarawickrama 1985,1987,1988
- P J Perera 2015,2016,2017
- M Sajaad Ajmal 2017,2018,2019
Trivia
- The Boat Race Trophy once possessed a metal wreath around the oars that has since been lost.
- Thomians Isuru Perera (2004), Dejan De Zoysa (2004), Sajeev De Silva (2010) have been awarded the 'Thomian Blue' for their outstanding contribution to STC rowing.
See also
Notes and references
- Royal rowers make a clean sweep Sunday Observer 28 October 2008
- Retribution hurtles out of the skies on Royal
- "50th Royal-Thomian Regatta at the Beira today". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 26 October 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
- 34th Annual Royal Thomian Regatta Souvenir