PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT
University of Otago crews made a perfect start to the regatta with two wins.
The women's crew trailed early in the 2km race after Xi'an Jiaotong University set the pace during the first 500m, but the home crew dominated the last 1500m and won by 20 seconds - about five boat lengths. Keio University was a further 10 seconds behind in third place.
In the men's race, Shanghai Jiaotong University led at the 500m mark. But the University of Otago crew accelerated from the 1000m mark to win by 12 seconds from Shanghai Jiaotong. St Petersburg University placed third.
The regatta will continue with races on Otago Harbour today.
