28th World Pilot Gig Championships 2017

Portland Gig Rowing Club took our two wooden gigs ‘Pulpit Rock’ and ‘Chesil’ to the Isles of Scilly to participate in the 28th World Pilot Gig Championships over the May Day bank holiday weekend, entering six crews (Ladies and Men’s A’s, B’s and Veterans).

Racing consisted of ‘long’ races (1.83 miles) from St Agnes to St Mary’s Quay and ‘short’ (1.34 miles) races from Nut Rock (near Tresco) to St Mary’s Quay. Friday evenings Vets raced the ‘long’ course in good weather and on seas unusually flat, our Ladies finishing 26th of 51 and Men 14th of 42. On Saturday the wind provided challenging sea conditions for the Ladies and Men’s A and B crews for the ‘long’ grading race and one ‘short’ heat for each. Sunday racing consisted of one further heat and a final race for all four crews, resulting in: Ladies A 39th and Ladies B 132nd of 142. Men’s A 64th and Men’s B 101st of 137.

The weekend of racing and socialising was enjoyed by all our competitors and supporters, all were grateful that any adverse weather passed through during the dark hours.

A big thank you to all the event organising committee and helpers for another excellent and enjoyable Championships.