Dart Gig Club recently attended the annual 27th World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly. Dart Gig Club again shipped all three of their gigs, with three ladies’ crews and two men’s crews attending.
The usual Friday night vets races saw the club putting out two ladies’ vets crews. 48 boats lined up for the start. There was a swell running, but not as big as last year.
The ladies’ vets A crew had a strong row, with a push which gained them places over two boats and a final tussle with Bridport just before the line, coming home in eighth place.
The ladies’ vets B crew, coxed by Martin Jarvis, enjoyed their row, coming in towards the back of the fleet.
The men’s race followed and the A crew had an excellent row coming in a very creditable sixth place out of 36.
The supervets had to borrow two rowers (one Dutchman) and Dave Morelley from Brixham to make up the numbers. They were guest coxed by Helen from Cattewater and were pleased with their position of 19th out of 32.
The main races followed on Saturday and Sunday in glorious sunshine. The first long race in from St Agnes saw 144 boats lining up for the ladies’ race, giving a start line of a mile long.
Volante and Smudger were in the same lane, and started the race next to each other. The ladies’ A, in Volante, coming home in 38th place. The ladies’ B, rowing in Smudger, were placed in H division, and the ladies’ C rowing in Lightning with two Scilly novices and guest cox Bob from Exmouth, enjoyed their race and were placed in L division.
The men’s St Agnes race followed, with 135 boats lining up for the start. Both crews had good rows, with the A crew coming in 31st and the B crew, with three Scilly novices, coming 70th.
The shorter Nut Rock to St Mary’s races followed. The first of these races on Saturday afternoon saw the some of the crews struggling with the tricky seas.
The ladies’ A rowed well and won D division, putting them up to C division for Sunday morning. The ladies’ B had to battle to stay in heat H, coming in 93rd, and ladies’ C crew enjoyed their rowing further down the fleet. An injury to one crew member saw Sarah from Falmouth join the C crew for the last two races.
The men’s A held their place in C division, but the men’s B struggled with the conditions and dropped down to G division on Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s racing took place in murky conditions. At one point it was rumoured that visibility might be too poor to start the racing, but that was not the case.
The cross seas continued to give some rowers a hard time. All the ladies’ crews maintained their positions in their divisions and the ladies’ A had the most exciting race of the day for the club.
They had a strong start and pulled away from the bulk of the fleet, with Winspit outside of them. They had a strong challenge from Melusine, Millers Daughter and Morgan in the middle of the course. Every time the crew were asked for 10 they moved further ahead.
Two thirds of the way into the race, they started going up for 20s to break the pack and 50 strokes from home powered to the finish, winning division C.
The men’s A maintained their position in C division, coming home in 28th place. The men’s B crew came in 80th.
Stan Bray had an enjoyable weekend racing with Devoran men’s B crew.
Ladies A: Bonny Chivers, Katharine Money, Ella Chivers, Chloe Gardner, Kate Cooke and Alison Bland coxed by Paul Kunert
Ladies B: Peta Chivers, Katie Lillington, Paula Hyne, Clare Thorp, Carol Squire, Clare Coltrini coxed by Trevor Pretty.
Ladies C: Camilla McGowan-Scanlon, Annie Worsfold, Lynn Kunert, Liz Moseley, Hilary Bussell and Linda Cann coxed by Rob Huntingdon from Exmouth.
Men’s A: Adrian Bailey, Dave Sharam, Chris Gale, Rupert Kempley, Andy Pomeroy and Tony Doidge coxed by Liz Moseley and Kate Cooke.
Men’s B: Jon Pope, Lea Humphreys, Scott Hill, Matt Pink, Michael Bryant–Mole and Noel Hughes, coxed by Trevor Pretty.