Tamar & Tavy Gig Club18/03/2008
Tamar's maiden race
Sunday 16th March dawned for the first and perhaps the toughest race of the gig racing circuit. The TnT crews began early with a vet crew rowing Ginette down to the start in Saltash, cheering the racers on through the day then taking a tough endurance session back home at the end of the day against wind and tide. Thank you guys every bit was appreciated. Meanwhile Rae bravely towed Tamar to Saltash for her very first race, eagerly (or Eagley) watched by Brian.
The Ladies set off in Tamar, with Rob Dawe coxing. A steady strong pace combined with the winter endurance training paid off as three boats were pulled past. Tamar flew downwind with the long strong stokes. The Ladies crew, all of whom were vets, came in 17th out of 30 good crews in a time of 1 hour 48 seconds.
After a swift turn around Drummond Challis took Tamar’s helm with the men’s crew. After a fast first leg the lads, nicely in time came in also 17th out of 37 crews in 52 minutes 10 seconds. Meanwhile Carolyn Dawe, arms and adrenalin still pumping from the ladies race coxed the men’s vets in Ginette to finish the long course in 56 minutes 23 seconds beating their local rivals Salcombe.
The course was long, Brunel Bridge, to the Tavy, the Tamar by the China fleet, down to the Lyhner and back up against the wind and tide to the bridge. A brilliant chance to really show Tamar her river. She is a credit to Brian’s craftmanship.
