JERSEY ROWING Club’s race season kicked off with a bumper crop of entries and a mass start for the first race in the Gin D series.
The 22 crews saw varied coastal conditions, with choppy 2ft waves on the west of the course, making it more challenging for the smaller boats.
Racing for the first time as a crew, the Youth Academy quad of George Amos, Poppy Pendergast, Tilly Woodhall and Kimberley Holland, coxed by JRC stalwart Ian Blandin, put in a strong performance, finishing in 31mins 25secs.
Fresh from her epic row across the Atlantic, Rosemary Satchwell returned to her singles boat for this much shorter 5.6km race in St Aubin’s Bay.
First across the line was the Men’s quad of Paul Le Gros, Mark Hill, Giles Adu and John Searson, coxed by Colin Hidrio.
Only eight seconds separated the next three boats, with Men’s Double Josh Le Lere and Gary Briggs crossing in second, followed in quick succession by Ladies Quad Girls That Row and Mixed Double PG’s Chris Morshead and Zana Jeacock-Fewtrell.
First home in the Men’s singles class was PG’s Joshua Watkins, with Ladies Doubles Katie Guest and Kirsten West, and Ladies singles Natacha Searson also finishing first in their respective classes.
JRC club captain Gerald Howe said: “It’s really been a cracking start to our racing season.
“We’ve had a big entry and some excellent performances from all the different athletes and age groups.
“Some, who’ve been training all winter, have shown the great benefit of the sessions on the ‘ergs’ and in the boats.
“Well done to them all, and thank you to the volunteers helping to organise it and making it such a success.”
