Veeyapuram Chundan lifts Nehru trophy in photo finish

Breaking Pallathuruthy Boat Club’s (PBC) long stranglehold, Veeyapuram Chundan (snakeboat) of the Village Boat Club (VBC), Kainakary, rowed to a sensational triumph in the 71st edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) on the shimmering waters of Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on Saturday.

While it was the second Nehru trophy for Veeyapuram Chundan, it was VBC’s third title in Kerala’s most celebrated water spectacle.

In a breathtaking display of skill, passion, and raw energy, Veeyapuram surged to victory in a photo finish clocking 4:21.084 and lifted the coveted title in front of thousands of cheering spectators. Nadubhagam Chundan rowed by the Punnamada Boat Club finished second, clocking 4:21.782. Melpadom Chundan of the PBC settled for third with a timing of 4:21.933, while Niranom Chundan of the Niranom Boat Club finished fourth in 4:22.035.

The VBC first won the trophy, named after India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1986 with Karichal Chundan. It retained the cup the following year, again rowing Karichal. The club’s third title comes after a long wait of 38 years.

VBC’s victory dashed PBC’s dream of securing a historic double hat-trick in the race. In the last five editions - 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 - the PBC lifted the trophy rowing Payippadan Chundan, Nadubhagom Chundan, Mahadevikadu Kattil Thekkethil Chundan, Veeyapuram Chundan, and Karichal Chundan, respectively.

High excitement

Despite intermittent rain, the excitement was palpable in and around Punnamada. The event commenced with races of smaller boats in the forenoon. A huge crowd that turned up to witness the ‘Olympics on water’ made the atmosphere electric. The excitement reached fever pitch when the heats of the snakeboat competition began in the afternoon. The top four boats, based on timings recorded in six heats, fought it out in the final.

A total of 75 boats, including 21 snakeboats, participated under nine categories in this year’s NTBR. The winners in the other categories are: Churulan — Velangadan (BBC, Kumaramkari); Iruttukuthi ‘A’ grade —Moonu Thaickal (TBC Cochin Town); Iruttukuthi ‘B’ grade — St. Sebastian (Idiwal Boat Club, Kodungallur); Iruttukuthi ‘C’ grade — St. Sebastian (Thoyikavu Desom Boat Club); Veppu ‘A’ grade — Jaishot (Village Boat Club, Chennithala); Veppu ‘B’ grade — Punnathra Puraickkal (Kavanar City); Thekkanodi Thara (Women) — Kattilthekkethil (Sports Authority of India); and Thekkanodi Kettu (Women) — Chellikadan (Janitha Memorial Boat Club ).

The race was inaugurated by Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.