KOTTAYAM: In a thrilling and fiercely contested race, the Aroma Chundan, rowed by the Kollam-based Aroma Boat Club, clinched victory in the seventh leg of the Champions Boat League (CBL) Season 6, held at the scenic Thazhathangadi backwaters in Kottayam. Aroma clocked a winning time of 3 minutes and 21.227 seconds, breaking the four-race winning streak of the formidable Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC).
The Melpadam Chundan, rowed by PBC, finished a close second with a timing of 3:21.802, while the Niranam Chundan, rowed by the Niranam Boat Club, secured third place with 3:21.925.
The water sports extravaganza was inaugurated by Kerala Legislative Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, with Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph presiding over the function. Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob inaugurated the Piravom-leg events, while Kottayam MP K. Francis George flagged off the main races. Kottayam Municipal Chairman M.P. Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chairman Sheeba Punnen, local body representatives, senior tourism department officials, and technical committee members were also present.
A Thrilling Finish at Thazhathangadi
Known for having the narrowest water stretch (nettayam) among all CBL venues, the Thazhathangadi course presented a formidable challenge with its sharp post-start bend. Although Melpadam took a brief lead near the Thazhathangadi bridge, a breathtaking surge of speed by Aroma in the final 100 meters propelled them past their rivals to secure first place.
Following this victory, Melpadam and Aroma are now tied at the top of the championship standings with 64 points each, closely followed by Veeyapuram with 54 points. Local competitions for Iruttukuthi and Vappu boats were also held alongside the main snake boat races.
With four legs remaining in the 11-race season, upcoming fixtures are scheduled at Pulinkunnu, Alappuzha (October 31), Kainady (November 7), and Kayamkulam (November 14). The grand finale of CBL Season 6 will take place on November 21 with the President’s Trophy Vallomkali in Kollam.
Each leg awards ₹5 lakh to the winner, ₹3 lakh to the runner-up, and ₹1 lakh to the third-place finisher, alongside a ₹4 lakh performance bonus for participating teams. The overall championship winners will take home a grand prize of ₹25 lakh, with ₹15 lakh and ₹10 lakh awarded for second and third places, respectively.
