Henley Regatta corporate tickets: Kiwi rowers shell out to feature in Thames event

23/04/2010

Rowers from New Zealand are so keen to race in front of people with Henley Regatta corporate tickets that they are prepared to stump up thousands of pounds each to travel to the event.

A team of eight men from West End Rowing Club in Auckland have already qualified for the Thames event and are currently attempting to raise the money to make the lengthy journey.

It is estimated that the expedition will cost just under NZ$50,000 (£23,000) and crew member Brad Jowitt said a substantial amount of that will be paid for by the rowers themselves.

"We have a couple of sponsors on board but are still looking for more because of the huge amount," he told Stuff.co.nz. "It will probably cost each rower over NZ$5,000."

Provided they raise the money, anyone with Henley Regatta corporate tickets will get to see the Kiwis in action at the event between June 30th and July 4th.

The crew gained entry to Henley Regatta after winning a national competition earlier this year on Lake Karapiro, which will play host to the World Rowing Championships in October and November.

Posted by Ted Walker