Race 3 2009 series

The annual River Teign Rowing Club seine boat series got in to its rhythm, with the

third race taking place last Saturday. After cold and damp conditions for the first two

races, it began to feel that summer might finally be arriving, and that the post race

socialising could be exercised in the open air.

The junior crews raced first, setting off from Shaldon Beach ( definitely an advantage

for those crews having a willing helper to push them off), with a staggered start; the

younger crews leaving before the older ones. Having left the beach first, it was the

Crazy Crew in “Mavis” (boys under 12’s) who set the pace, charging up to the club

buoy set near Polly Steps, and making the turn first. Although setting off at different

times, the other five crews were bunched together as they approached the turn.

Racing back against the tide, it was the girls under 16 crew, Rowdedendrons in “

Gehenna”, having set off last, who looked the most powerful, managing to cross the

line in second, behind the Crazy Crew; and holding off Teign Buoys in “ Viscount

Amery II” who now lead in the boys under 14 category from Teign Tearaways in

“Hawk”.

It was the turn of the women to row first in the senior races this week, and the course

was set with a start from the pier, straight out to sea. A left turn around a buoy sent

the rowers towards Sprey point where another sharp turn saw them head for home,

and a finish adjacent to the back beach by the Lifeboat slipway. Last years

champions, Abs Fab in “Eve C” set an early pace, storming away from the rest of the

fleet, looking to improve on their previous second position. They were hotly pursued

by G Foarce in “Merlin”, winner of the first two races this season. By the time the two

leaders reached the first buoy, it appeared as if G Foarce would ease their way to a

third consecutive victory, however, Abs Fab fought back and the two frontrunners

remained neck and neck all the way in to the harbour, with Abs Fab returning to form

with their first victory of the season. Noss Ladies rowed “Samurai” to third position,

and Funky Oars continued their excellent start to the season with fourth place in

“Eileen”.

The men followed the same course for their race, but in an interesting twist, a

“scratch” crew of rowers in “Grace” set out to show what they could do. However, it

was SAS in “Mrs B” who moved in to an early lead. They were hotly pursued by

Mannor Garage Men in “Merlin”, and the scratch crew. Although the current

championship leaders never really looked as if they were would be beaten, SAS had

to work hard to hold off the chasing crews. Although the team in “Grace” crossed the

line in second place, the points went to Mannor Garage men, as they are officially

registered as a racing crew. Best result of the day went to the Power Ankers in

“Eileen” who gained third place, their highest position for many years. Lower down

the field, the Blue Anchors showed their consistency with their third successive

thirteenth place in “Contessa”, while Aladdin Seine continued their great start to the

season with another fourteenth place in “Sooty”.

A big thanks to the Ship Inn for excellent post race hospitality.

The next race is on Saturday June 6th

. Please visit the new, improved website

www.teignrowers.co.uk for all information related to River Teign Rowing Club.