The brawny Bondi Diggers took the expatriate men's title for the fourth year in a row, while the speedy Siemens won the cup in the Chinese men's category.

But it was the less competition-minded Clown Doctors - finishing last in both their races - who grabbed the award for best costume.

'Eight weeks ago we moved like a Victorian steamer,' captain Greg Rooke said. 'But now we look more like a centipede.' The team raised $300,000 for charity, Dr Rooke said. 'We're having a good time, that's the main thing.' The expatriate women's trophy went to the Lamma Happy Dragons, while the Plate was narrowly snatched by the doctors and midwives of Matilda Hospital.

'Today was the first time we've rowed with a full boat,' Matilda coach Alex Desilva said. 'In practice our boats were only half full at any time.' The Wanch - the only team to use their own steer man - were the first to veer off course and collide with three other boats during a short spell of heavy rain. They also capsized.

Most teams stretched and massaged. But the Dirty Dicks warmed up by downing a pint of lager and the Japanese Club stood in a circle and meditated before their race.

'We've been drinking and dancing on the junks all morning,' teacher Katelyn Robinson said. 'I've broken my wrist, so I can't race.' 'It's been great fun,' postgraduate Agnes Kan said. 'It's the first time I've been, and I'm coming again next year.' But a few on the beach were less than thrilled. 'These amateurs are too slow,' ex-rower Liu Ying-kiu said. 'I used to watch fishermen's teams race here 15 years ago, but things have changed.'