CBL-5: Pride Chasers win Piravom race in microseconds
Kochi / October 4, 2025
Kochi, Oct 4: Pride Chasers overcame intense scare from their opponents in the Piravom race of the fifth edition of the Champions Boat League (CBL-5) today, overpowering Coast Dominators in a thriller.
The winners, rowing the Veeyapuram snakeboat, crossed the finishing line in 3:35.331 minutes, just .164 microseconds ahead of Coast Dominators (Melpadam Chundan owned by Pallathuruthy Boat Club: 3:35.495 minutes). Ripple Breakers (rowing the Nadubhagam Chundan and owned by Punnamada Boat Club) came third at 3:36.773 minutes.
Pride Chasers, owned by Veeyapuram Village Boat Club, had come first in the inaugural race of CBL-5 at Kainakary (Alappuzha) and, in the subsequent weekend, at Thazhathangadi (Kottayam). CBL, organized by Kerala Tourism modelled on the lines of IPL, had its Malabar leg opened on October 2 at Dharmadom in Kannur district, where Azhikodan Anchamthuruthi Boat Club won the churuli-boat race.
The finals of today’s race initially saw all the three teams rowing neck-and-neck for three-quarters of the water strip along the Muvattupuzha river. In the last lap, Coast Dominators and Pride Chasers rowed, by making full use of their skills and energy, leaving the spectators clueless about the winner. The photo-finish required the official results to come in for the suspense to be over.
The final standings of the Piravam races are as follows: Super Oars at fourth, Chundan Warriors (fifth), Backwater Sharks (sixth), Backwaters Warriors (seventh), Thunder Oars (eighth) and Wave Gliders (ninth).
Revenue Minister Shri K. Rajan virtually inaugurated the Piravam competitions. Tourism Minister Shri P.A. Mohamed Riyas gave a CBL message online. The function, chaired by Anoop Jacob MLA, was attended by Ernakulam District Collector Priyanka G., film actor Lalu Alex, Tourism Department Joint Director and CBL Nodal Officer Abhilash Kumar TG and Deputy Director and CBL State Coordinator D. Ansar KAS, besides CBL Technical Committee members and members of civic bodies.
The next match is at Beypore (Kozhikode, October 12).
ENDS
