CBL-4: VBC pulls out upset victory, pushes PBC into second at Pandanad race

Alappuzha / November 30, 2024

Alappuzha, Nov 30:  The third match of the Champions Boat League saw Village Boat Club (VBC) scoring an upset victory today, outsmarting Pallathuruthi Boat Club (PBC) at the Champions Boat League (CBL-4) at Pandanad near Chengannur in this district.

The results meant a sweet revenge for VBC (rowing Veeyapuram snake-boat), who had lost the finals of the post-Onam Nehru Trophy final at Punnamada lake in Alappuzha. PBC, rowing Karichal snake-boat, finished second, while UBC Kainakary on Thalavadi snake-boat came third. CBL-4, with nine teams and six races, is being organised by Kerala Tourism.

VBC finished at 3:32:79 minutes, while PBC clocked 3:33:21 and UBC Kainakary 3:33:53 minutes. The three teams had got into the final based on their best timing in the heats.

The final race was so intense right from the start that neither the cheering spectators nor the drone footage could tell which of the three teams was ahead. Even into the last leg, all three boats put up a neck-and-neck fight. It was only with ten metres left that VBC made a surge to emerge first, outpacing the PBC and UBC Kainakary.

Even so, the results were initially unclear for the viewers. The suspense lasted for nearly five minutes, until the official announcement came, leading VBC rowers to stylishly flex their muscles in front of the cameras.

With today’s results, VBC and PBC are tied with 20 points each in the CBL-4. Close behind is UBC Kainakary with 17 points.

At Pandand today, Niranam Boat Club (Niranam boat) came fourth, followed by Kumarakam Boat Club (Melppadam) and Kumarakam Town Boat Club (Nadubhagam). Coming seventh was Punnamada Boat Club (Champakulam), Alappuzha Town Boat Club (Payippad) eighth. Changanassery Boat Club (Ayaparam Valiadivanji) finished last.

Culture Minister Shri Saji Cheriyan inaugurated the Races. Present at the function were former MLA Sobhana George, representatives of local self-governing bodies, Tourism Department officials and CBL management committee members, among others.

The next race of CBL-4 is at Karuvatta (December 7), followed by Kayamkulam (December 14). The grand finale, coinciding with Kollam President's Trophy, is on December 21.

The teams finishing first, second and third in the league matches get Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. Based on the overall performance in the six races, the topper will be given Rs 25 lakh, the runner-up Rs 15 lakh and the team finishing third Rs 10 lakh.

After each match, all the participating teams receive Rs 3 lakh, and the snake-boat owners get Rs 1 lakh each as a bonus.

ENDS