GUERNSEY took the bragging rights in the rescheduled 2024 Sark to Jersey rowing race, as a Sarnian quad was the first boat home, helping lead the Island to Le Poidevin Trophy glory.
TPA (Simon Johns, James Coquelin, Tim Nicole, James Travers and cox Lloyd Le Page) crossed the line in 2hrs 11mins 35secs, followed by the French pairing of Pierrick Ledard and Arthur Sanson, in 2hrs 14mins 04secs. The Jersey men’s quad of Joshua Watkins, William Le Quelenec, Chris Morshead, James Hart and cox Ian Anderson were the third boat home in 2hrs 16mins 06secs.
TPA cox Le Page said: “It was a real ‘old school’ Sark to Jersey race, with properly rough open waters.
“We often train in rough seas so I felt confident that the boys could deal well with it.
“It was reasonably close between the three lead boats up until just before the Paternosters, but really steep swells, when we were shipping quite a lot of water, were interspersed with slightly smoother spells, where we would immediately start to pull away.
“As we rounded the turn mark and the swell settled more from our stern, I again felt confident that we would be able to stretch out our advantage and so it proved.
“The boys looked and felt strong and smooth over the last few kilometres.
“I’m not sure the rest of the team would share my views, but, from a cox’s standpoint, I absolutely loved the rougher water and the race in general.”
For French National champions, Ledard and Sanson, the race from Dixcart Bay into Bonne Nuit was the first win in a doubles.
Ledard said: “We are happy to have been able to participate in the Sark to Jersey, even if the conditions were very difficult.
“The crosswind did not make the crossing any easier.
“We were able to fight with the quad from Guernsey and that from Jersey. This motivated us throughout the crossing.”
Fourth boat home in the 25km race was Guernsey men’s double of Chris Markham and Pierre Mahy in a time of 2hrs 27mins 56secs.
This year’s race attracted both seasoned veterans and first timers.
Rowing S2J for the first time, in the first Jersey boat home, Hart said: “It was a very rough and windy sea until the last five minutes, as a nice welcome back to Jersey.
“Overall, we couldn’t have done much better in those conditions. It was very tough for everyone and a testament to the strength of the coastal rowers who competed.
“For our team there were lots of lessons to learn from and hopefully push off as we look towards rowing the 22.7 mile Loch Ness race, Monster the Loch, in September.
It was also the first Sark race for men’s quad All4Megan (Carl Gavey, Alex Sieroczuk, Aaron Gavey, Peter Neuschaffer and cox Stephen Prosser), who finished in 2hrs 32mins 54secs.
Using the race as a chance to fundraise, Carl Gavey said: “It was a tough first Sark to Jersey for our entire crew, the sea state and weather were the roughest conditions we have been in.
“We all knew why we were out there, raising money for the amazing JCCT, which kept the determination up to press on.
“It was great fun and I’m sure we’ll be back to do it again, hopefully a bit calmer next time. Big thanks to all the people involved with getting the race to run.”
Next to finish, and winners of the Veterans’ trophy, was Blue Marlin’s quad (Paul Bradbury, first-timer Aidy Tredant, Lindsay Wright, Abi Searson and cox Anne Thomson) in 2hrs 43mins 34secs.
Seasoned S2J veteran Bradbury said: “I’ve done more than 40 races and this one was up there with the most challenging, as the winds were only just at the acceptable limit and wind against tide made it difficult for the rowers, as reflected by the slower times.
“On top of that the squally showers and mist made it difficult for the coxes. They had to be on top of their game.
“Offshore rowing is not for the faint-hearted and all competitors did an excellent job to finish the race.”
Bradbury’s sentiments were echoed by Guernseyman David Perrio’s Cool Runnings crew (Perrio, Karl Pedersen, Marcus Prevel, Paul Pierce and cox Liz Price) who finished in 2hrs 47mins 17secs), with Pedersen rowing most of the race with just one oar, after one snapped 21 minutes into the race.
Perrio said: “The times show that it was a tough race, with a stiff wind building up the seas, hitting the starboard quarter for much of the race, in typical S2J conditions.
“The boats we are using nowadays are very different to the old-style boats with better design and mostly fitted with wash decks allowing the water to be shed much quicker than years ago.
“This makes the boats much safer to row. From what I saw, there were many experienced rowers who are capable of racing in these conditions, not just surviving the row.
“I was in the bow and certainly had a fair number of waves breaking into the boat, with some of the larger ones about two metres high, all good fun when you get used to it.
“It was good to see the race go ahead in these conditions which makes this race a true offshore race, with the challenge of completing as well as rowing a race.
“I rowed my first S2J in 1968, when boats were much more basic and a lot slower. I completed the 1968 row in 4hrs 44mins and we were 26th out of over 50 boats, so things are much faster and safer these days.
Living up to their name was the next boat home, True Grit.
Paul Batho, David De Gruchy, Tim Pitt, Danni Gray and cox Colin Le Moignan had to battle seasickness alongside the challenging conditions, finishing just half a minute behind Cool Runnings, in 2hr 47mins 48secs.
Suffering from red raw hands, and with a last-minute crew change, but determined to race their hardest, BDO Medley (Ana Almeida, Rebecca Gerard-Pearce, Hannah Bonn, Gary Briggs and cox Cris Little) finished next in 2hrs 50mins 31secs.
The race brought additional challenges for Flying Phoenix (Christine Du Heaume, Tina Tidy, Frankie Le Quelenec, Anna Tredant and cox Sue Cubbon).
Said Cubbon, winner of the oldest competitor trophy: “This was my 44th S2J and the crossing this year was one of the most challenging.
“Unfortunately, disaster struck 20 minutes into the race, as we had a mechanical issue with the rudder, causing loss of steering. We ended up all over the course, with the crew having to use the oars to steer, which in the conditions became very hard work indeed.
“The course at the Paternosters was very disorientating due to the mist and fog over the Island.
“As ever, the crew were up to the task and maintained their composure to finish at Bonne Nuit in 3hrs 25mins a full hour longer than anticipated.’
Jersey Rowing club captain Gerald Howe said:
“I was pleased to start the delayed Sark to Jersey race for the competitors taking part from Guernsey, France and Jersey.
“Unfortunately the weather got worse instead of the predicted improvement in conditions.
“The competing crews all managed to battle their way through terrible conditions, although a solo sculler withdrew.
“I was proud of how they all kept going to the finish and I’m sure the race will be remembered by all for a long time.
“Guernsey did particularly well, winning the event, congratulations to them all.
“Each crew’s guard boat, the various volunteer helpers, the Parish of St John, St John Ambulance, Jersey Water and the RNLI service all deserve a massive thanks.”
Like several other single and doubles crews, Tracy Mourant, decided that the conditions were not suitable for her on Saturday. Instead, she completed the course on Sunday.
“There is no other challenge like the Sark to Jersey and for years I thought I could not do it in a single,” she said.
“I decided to train properly and have a go before I get too old. I finished the race in 2hrs 39mins, which was so much faster than I expected so I can’t stop smiling.
“I feel like a Viking – a small and rather tired one.
“Friends, family and fellow rowers came down to Bonne Nuit to cheer me in and made it a very special occasion.
“It was a shame not to row with the other crews but you need to know your limitations when you go to sea and Sunday’s conditions were much better for me.
“I’m just thrilled to have done it.”
