On the 11th of October, the rain could not drown out the spirit of the 20th LC-MC Rowing Regatta, the annual competition unfolding on the familiar waters of Beira Lake, Colombo. With both schools vying for the trophy, this encounter promised a day that would be remembered for more than just races. It was a true contest of strength, willpower, months of relentless preparation, and pure heart. With Musaeus College entering as the defending champions, their determination to retain the shield was unmistakable, while Ladies’ College, on the other hand, were determined to reclaim glory and redeem themselves after last year’s result.
Even as the rain poured steadily over the lake, the encounter began, not deterring the rowers from their mission. The first A Scull saw Musaeus College claim the opening 6 points, with Senumi Hewavithanage delivering a brilliant performance, setting the tone and intention of the school. Similarly, in the B Scull event, Senudi Mendis followed her teammate’s style, with a nail-biting finish by surging ahead in the final stretch of the race. This added another crucial 2 points to her team’s tally, placing the home school in a strong early position.
As the skies cleared, Ladies’ College struck back, with Kehansa Madugalle and TIhana De Saram capitalizing on their opportunity to even out the scores through the A Pair, bringing their school back into contention. Their power and precision secured their school 8 points.
Yet, Musaeus College retaliated swiftly, reclaiming momentum in the B pair event and pulling ahead once again by 4 points. It was the dynamic duo of Nikini Aluthge and Lisansa Hewabahithige who rose to the occasion and gained the upper hand for their school.
In an impressive show of skill and synchronization, the B Double was claimed by the duo of Isini Rajapakse and Senodee Dahanayake, who secured 5 more points for Musaeus College. However, Ladies’ College responded with the A Double, with Hayaa Hassen and Sheraya Perera delivering a remarkable comeback and dominating the next race. Their hard work earned 7 vital points for their school, and was a much-needed boost for Ladies’ College, reigniting their hopes in the competition.
Then came the Four events, highly anticipated for their display of teamwork and school pride. This segment of the event was dominated by the school in red and white, as Ladies’ College took control of the water. The Under-15 Four powered their way to a commanding win against Musaeus College with the crew of Aneetra Munipura, Vinudi de Silva, Arielle Fernando, Sarah Omar, and Anya Polonowita, who displayed remarkable coordination and composure on the water. Though this event carried no points, it was a statement of promise, highlighting the bright future ahead for both schools’ rowing teams.
Adding to the spirit of the day, the Old Girls’ race brought nostalgia and tradition back to the Beira waters, a contest defined by not points, but legacy and sportsmanship. It was a race where past rowers returned to the water to relive the thrill of this competition, much to the delight of their respective schools, and Ladies’ College secured the win in this race too.
The C Four event saw another strong performance from Ladies’ College, as the crew consisting of Jessica Sivapragasam, Anika Perera, Iyannah Karunaratne, Amaanie Jayaweera, and Ranithi Samarasooriya surged to victory. Though the race did not contribute points to the overall tally, it proved to be a major morale booster- especially with the team captain coxing the boat. This set an inspiring tone for the two crucial races that were still to come in the regatta.
As the evening approached, the lakeside came alive with a sea of colours- red, white, yellow, and blue, as a large number of students and supporters cheered passionately for their schools. The crowd’s energy was electric, creating an atmosphere that captured the true spirit of the regatta. The B Four race was next on the agenda, worth a crucial 8 points. The crew of Ananya Kirtisinghe, Vinugi Jayasinghe, Chantelle Perera, Sanindi de Silva, and Turanya Basnayake rowed with determination and synchronization, pulling ahead early and holding their lead to the finish. This win put Ladies’ College in the lead for the first time in this fiercely contested encounter.
Finally, it was time for the most decisive race of the day, the one carrying the highest points and ultimately determining the winner of the encounter, the A Four. The tension on the lake and in the crowd, as everyone knew the victory here would crown the champions. Ultimately, it was the Ladies’ College team: Tanisha Cooray, Tihana De Saram, Hayaa Hassen, Shamaali Ellawala, and Kehansa Madugalle, who pulled ahead, stroke by stroke, to claim the win. Their triumph in this race, worth 12 points, secured the overall victory and brought the title back to Ladies’ College. The final score of this regatta was 35 points to Ladies’ College and 17 points to Musaeus College, much cause for celebration for the former school.
As the evening came to an end, it was Kehansa Madugalle and Tihana De Saram who received the ‘Best Oarswomen of the Regatta’ award, a well-deserved recognition for their outstanding performances. Having secured victories in both the A Pair and the A four, they contributed the highest number of points and played a pivotal role in their school’s overall victory and leaving a lasting mark on this year’s encounter.
The 20th LC-MC Rowing Regatta 2025 will be remembered for more than just the points and the title, but also the incredible teamwork, fighting spirit, and perseverance by both schools. Ladies’ College’s victories in decisive races showcased their strength to keep fighting back, and both schools gave their supporters a day to remember, as seen not only through the pride these rowers brought to their schools but also through the thoroughly engaged crowd adorning the Beira Lake. Thus, this regatta was a memorable milestone in the history of the encounter and will inspire rowers for years to come.
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