Up to 200 people from the Channel Islands were due to travel to the port for Carteret’s biggest weekend of the season, but the race has been cancelled at the last minute, reportedly as a result of a decision taken by an official.
The event has been running without incident for the last 22 years.
Now, however, the prospect of a battle on the high seas looms large, with at least one rowing crew from England who are raising money for charity likely to make the journey despite a ban on the rowing boats entering French waters.
Former States Deputy Phil Rondel, speaking from Carteret today, said he had been told that ‘an armada’ of fishing and pleasure craft are likely to go out and accompany the English boat in.
Mr Rondel said that if the French Navy tried to intervene, ‘it could get interesting’.
The former St John Deputy said that protests were also planned for Saturday in Carteret.
