CCC team wins the Lions Club’s traditional Dragon Boat Cup

For the fifth time, the team from the University Cancer Centre Graz took to the water under the slogan ‘Paddling Against Cancer’. What began as a diverse team of staff, supporters, athletes and family members once again became a symbol of solidarity, passion and tireless commitment out on the water.
 
The conditions could hardly have been more challenging: stifling heat, blazing sunshine and sweltering temperatures pushed all the teams to their limits. The CCC team put in a strong performance right from the preliminary round, making a strong first impression with a lead of just under two seconds.
 
But in the final, the scoring started from scratch again. As stipulated by the rules, two races were held and the times were then added together. After the second race, therefore, nobody knew who had actually won. Whilst the teams waited on the bank, exhausted but full of anticipation, the race organisers checked the results.
 
The joy at the result was immense. After two gruelling races and a lead of just 0.632 seconds, the jury decided, given the exceptionally thrilling nature of the race, to honour both teams as winners. A hair’s breadth after a total race time of more than two minutes – and proof of just how evenly matched and high-calibre the final was.

This meant there were two winners this year – and the coveted challenge cup will also be shared. For the next six months, it will be on display at the University Cancer Centre in Graz, before moving on to the second-placed team for the following six months. A lovely gesture that underlines the respect for both teams’ achievements and the spirit of fair play that characterised this final. A team from the Medical University of Graz also took part again this year and put in a fantastic performance.

The net proceeds from the regatta are used to support a different charitable project each year. This year, the net proceeds will go to ‘Mein Körper gehört mir’ (‘My Body Belongs to Me’), a successful project aimed at preventing violence against children.

We offer our warmest congratulations!