Fowler’s reward is to have his name engraved again on the magnificent Wilkinson Sword Trophy, He set off at 6.14 am on this 29-nautical mile handicap race with an big start based on last year’s almost seven-hour row, followed almost two-and-a-half hours later by the scratch boats, the Sue Cubbons’ coxed ladies four and the Mic Tréhorel-coxed mixed six.
Both go from scratch as neither of the two slider classes have yet competed for this trophy.
Ten minutes earlier the men’s pair had set off on what became the impossible task of hauling in Fowler and an existing pairs record.
Fowler had reached White Rock, almost the halfway mark, as the last boats left the startline off St Aubin’s Bay.
Though the sixes soon left the ladies’ four across the bay they remained in view until Grosnez when the six pulled away across the west and south coasts to finish ten minutes ahead – and having only pulled back a minute on the men’s pairs.
For sixes crew member ‘George’ Le Huray this has been a heavy introduction into rowing, as she only took up the sport in May and, since then, has competed in the Sark to Jersey, Gorey to Carteret and around-Island races.
Fowler, though delighted with his win, was apprehensive beforehand as the boat he was rowing is known for its pitchabilty.
‘So I took the precaution, for the first time in 33 years of rowing, to wear a lifejacket,’ he said afterwards, adding that he only had 20 minutes practice with the combination of boat, jacket and oars, before the start.
