TAMAR and Tavy Gig Club proved their achievements in the World Pilot Gig Championships were no fluke when they raced at the first league event of the season in Falmouth on Saturday. Three crews and supporters made the trip to Gyllingvase Beach to take part in the first of five starred events in the Tribute Challenge that runs until the end of the summer. Races are timed, and crews and clubs weighed up and measured over the summer in a bid to receive the Tribute Challenge Trophy. The Men?s A crew took to the water in the second heat of the first race in blistering heat in the early afternoon. With increasingly controlled aggression the crew put in a powerful performance and with two rowers just entering the senior league can be rightly proud of beating Salcombe?s Wolf which beat them in a photo finish in the World Championships. The Men?s A?s time of 12 minutes 53 seconds was 1 min 20 secs behind the winners Caradon A. Tamar and Tavy finished 22 out of 29 starters. Making the most of the relatively smooth conditions the Ladies A pushed up through the field being beaten into 12th position out of 28 by just one second. In the growing heat the crew fought every stroke round the course completing it in a time of 14.06. The crew?s increasing focus and cohesion should put it in good stead for a battle this weekend (June 10/11) against arch rivals Salcombe Ladies A in Wolf at Salcombe?s own regatta. The Tamar and Tavy Ladies? B crew rowed an impressive race finishing in 14.50, one minute and seven seconds behind Ladies B winners Caradon. The crew now rests at 10th position out of 21 in the B group, a position it is more than capable of improving on over the summer. For more information about Tamar and Tavy Gig Club see http://www.tntgc.org.uk">www.tntgc.org.uk For information on gig rowing in general and where to watch the racing at a beach near you throughout the summer go to http://www.cpga.co.uk">www.cpga.co.uk. Newcomers? Evening at Weir Quay tomorrow (Friday) from 5.45pm. Families welcome. For more info about taster sessions call Kate Reeves 07780 934316.
