New Zealand have claimed the Asia Pacific Sprint Cup for the first time since the event began in 2018, delivering a dominant performance across three days of competition at Lake Tikitapu in Rotorua.
Racing against Australia, Japan, and Singapore, the young Kiwi squad led the points standings from day one and finished 30 points clear of six-time defending champions Australia. Japan placed third and Singapore fourth, with final tallies of New Zealand 389, Australia 359, Japan 329, and Singapore 249.
Conditions were near-perfect for most of the event, with glassy, calm water across the majority of racing. The one disruption came on the final morning when low-lying fog delayed the start by around 90 minutes before suddenly lifting. Athletes from all competing nations turned the wait into an impromptu lakeside dance party, with almost all of them moving and connecting on the foreshore. It was one of many highlights beyond the competition itself.
There was plenty to celebrate on the water, too. The New Zealand Under 18 women swept all three podium positions in the WK1 500m final, and the team produced so many other strong results across the three days that coaches and athletes alike had good reason to be proud.
The opening ceremony also stood out. A local kapa haka group performed and shared the history and significance of Rotorua and its Māori culture, something the international visitors and locals both appreciated.
For a young team and their coaches, taking home the Asia Pacific Cup for the first time is a real accomplishment.
