BRIDPORT Gig Rowing Club took more than 40 rowers and supporters to the Isles of Scilly for the World Pilot Gig Championships.

The first day saw the start of the World Championship races; two ladies’ veteran crews, a men’s vets crew and a men’s super vets crew from Bridport took to the water to race the 1.8-mile race from St Agnes to St Mary’s Quay.

Battling more than 70 rival boats and challenging sea conditions from the large Atlantic swell, the ladies’ vets A crew in Dagger finished ninth in the world – an amazing result after the shock of being seeded among some of the world’s top crews; based on last year’s results.

The ladies’ vets B crew in Blaez finished 39th; another considerable improvement on last year’s result.

The men’s veterans’ race followed the ladies, Bridport’s crew finished in 25th place in Blaez, and Bridport men’s super-vets crew secured 11th place in Dagger against some very formidable crews.

The main races of the weekend started on the Saturday morning, with the long race from St Agnes to St Mary’s Quay, followed by three shorter heats from Nut Rock to St Mary’s Quay.

Bridport ladies A, B, and C crews tackled the long race. The results of this race determined the position and group that the crews would begin the heats in.

The ladies’ A had a very strong race, rowing in Dagger, finishing within the top 40 boats, resulting in a place in group C (groups A-

L).

The ladies’ B crew also had a positive race, rowing in Blaez, and secured a place in group H.

Bridport’s ladies’ C crew, nicknamed ‘Bridregis’, consisted of three Bridport ladies, Bridport cox Mark Vanstone and three from Lyme Regis Gig Club. Rowing in ‘Rebel’, kindly offered by Lyme, they began their heats in group G.

In the men’s long race, Bridport’s A crew used power and strength to their advantage securing a place in group C.

The men’s B finished the race within the top 100, beginning the next heat in group G.

Over the slightly shorter sprint course, the ladies’ B crew remained in group C across the heats, finishing ninth in their final race and 94th overall.

The ladies’ C crew did drop down a group but had a good final race finishing 108th out of the 144 boats.

The ladies’ A also dropped down into group D, although flew over the line in the final well ahead of their rivals, winning the group. This meant a place on the podium for their victory and finishing 37th in the world.

Rounding up the championships were the men’s finals, where the world champions are decided, the men’s B, came in at 94th place after racing the final in group H.

The men’s A in Dagger kept their place in group C throughout the heats finishing the championships in 36th position.

Men’s world champions were Falmouth, and ladies’ winners were Caradon.