World Pilot Gig Championships – 2024
Here we are again! It only seems like 5 minutes ago we were reviewing the championships from last year, but within a blink of an eye the championships of 2024 have come and gone.
As always, as soon as the 3rivers race has finished, huge excitement builds towards this weekend long event in the Isles of Scilly and this year there some slight anxiety building due to the weather, as it has been miserable for so long now it almost seemed inevitable that the event could fall foul to the weather, however it was the complete opposite. The weather gods were clearly gig rowing fans that weekend as most of the weekend was bright and sunny which meant only one thing……..the race was on!
This year the reds from Portland took 13 members to the championships with 3 of them making their world championship debut. The club fielded teams in the men’s vets category as well as the men’s and ladies open races.
In the men’s vets the Portland guys Simon, Dazza and Keith, were joined by 3 friends from other clubs to field a men’s vets team and raced twice on friday afternoon with the aim of making the final the following morning. The guys rowed brilliantly however the other teams were just too strong this year and so unfortunately the guys were unable to make it to the final the following day – nonetheless they rowed brilliantly and did the club proud. And we must thank the other crew members for stepping in helping us field a crew as without them, they wouldn’t have been able to get out on the water!
Saturday and Sunday saw the Men’s A (consisting of Josh, Max, Keith, Simon, Dazza, Hayden, and Ben) and Ladies A (consisting of Trudy, Lucy, Abbie, Jenny, Heather, Becky) crews take to the water, with 4 races each across the two days. Both crews put in brilliant shifts across the two days with some really strong rows, and in somewhat challenging sea conditions at times (and a also the deluge of rain that hit the ladies on heat 3!) Once both crews crossed the line for the final time for the weekend, they joined up with the huge raft of boats watching the final heats come through and from then on it was party time with bbq on the beach, in fancy dress and maybe a drink or two!
Once again, PGRC had an absolute blast this weekend, well done to all teams that took part across the weekend and made it a fantastic occasion. Big shout out to our debutants for this weekend for taking it all in their stride, but an important thanks to our coxes for the weekend (Abbie, Keith, Josh, Max) and also a massive thanks to Kirsty and Nigel for towing Pulpit Rock both to and from Penzance. We couldn’t have done it with out you all.
Countdown begins to IOS 2025…..watch out world!
Results:
Men’s Vets:
Heat 1 – 18th – Seeded in Group B
Heat 2 – Group B – 7th – 19th Overall
Men’s Open:
Seeding Race – 43rd – Seeded into Group D
Heat 2 – Group D – 12th Place – Move down to Group E
Heat 3 – Group E – 12th Place – Move down to Group F
Final – Group F – 2nd Place – 62nd overall
Ladies Open:
Seeding Race – 101st – Seeded into Group I
Heat 2 – Group I – 3rd Place – Remain in Group I
Heat 3 – Group I – 3rd Place – Remain in Group I
Final – Group I – 5th Place – 101 Overall
