TAMAR and Tavy Gig Club sent a ladies' crew to Helford Regatta on Saturday for their first race of the season.

The Helford Regatta is a favourite of the club because of the beautiful setting and the friendliness of the home club.

The race began at the mouth of the Helford River which can be rough and ended at the Ferry Boat Inn at Helford Passage.

The Tamar and Tavy crew of Jennie Smith, Lizzie Maunder, Claire Luxton, Sue Douglass, Debbie Farmer and Denise Nixon raced in two heats, both of which were against the wind and tide.

All the boats were being blown around on the start line, making it hard work for new race cox Lynn Renton to control. The first race went well but in the second heat the T and T ladies really emptied their tanks and had a storming race, improving on their position by seven places to finish a superb 15th out of 22.

The result is an excellent start to the season for the club and has provided good race experience for new members, who are now looking forward to racing in the Pilot Gig World Championships in the Isles of Scilly in May as well as the gruelling Three Rivers Race at the weekend.

n For more information on Tamar and Tavy Gig Club visit Tamarandtavygigclub.co.uk