Victoria’s Jan Juc crew has been crowned 2009 ASRL Open Champions after winning the Open Men’s race at the Navy Australian Surf Rowers League Open by a hair at Broulee Beach on Sunday, 8 February, 2009.

Little separated the crews as they turned the cans and with flat surf, the race became a true test of skill and stamina.

All 6 crews crossed the line within inches of each other and the outcome of the race wasn’t known for some time as the judges deliberated on the winner.

Eventually Jan Juc was hailed the champion ahead of Mona Vale and Manly. Austinmer, Whale Beach and Wollongong made up the minor placings but only centimetres separated the crews.

“It was a tough race, it was long and the boys put in everything they had,” said Jan Juc Sweep Scott Tannerhill.

“We weren’t too sure who won when we hit the line, but they boys raced extremely well the whole weekend and we knew were in with a strong chance”.

“It’s a real honour to win the Navy ASRL Open, you’re competing against the best of the best and we’re stoked to win.”

Local crew Batemans Bay was crowned Reserves Division Champion after a stellar performance all weekend. The crew won every race bar one throughout the two days of racing and crossed the line in the final a nose ahead of Palm Beach and Caves Beach. In another close race Bulli, Coogee and Palm Beach’s second crew hit the shore within inches of each other.

South Curl Curl beat arch-rivals Mooloolaba to take out the Open Womens for the third year. The rivalry between the two crews has been strong for years. Mooloolaba took the lead heading into the can turn and looked sure to leave South Curl Curl in their wake as they soared back to shore. But a late surge by the Sydney crew saw the teams neck and neck. South Curl Curl found the extra energy to pull ahead just metres before the line to take the race.

“Over the past three years, nearly every major final we’ve been in Mooloolaba’s been there and it’s always been us and them 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd, so it’s great to get another big win in,”  said South Curly Stroke Kate Mortimer.

Fellow Queensland crews Met Caloundra and Kurrawa came 3rd and 4th.

In other races Austinmer took out the Under 23 Mens, Palm Beach the Under 23s Womens and Bulli the Under 19s Mens.

A record number of crews entered into this year’s Navy ASRL Open, making it the largest Surf Boat Event in the world. More than 350 crews came from almost every state in the country to compete.

Final Results for the weekend's racing:

You can view ALL the results, including Masters by clicking here

Click here to view a selection of photos from the weekend, kindly provided by Chris "Nugman" De Jong. Or, you can view the entire series on Chris's site by clicking here

There's also a large selection of event photos by George Scarfe (ASRL SA) - here