Andy Chapple and Sarah Stonebridge, the winning FRM mixed crew, are made to look rather insignificant as they row past a cruise vessel during the St Sampson’s to St Peter Port time trial. (Picture by Tim Prout, 0571499)
THE shortest event in the Guernsey Rowing Club calendar still posed crucial questions of the crews as the local season got under way.
Twenty-four boats took on the 3,100m time trial from St Sampson’s to St Peter Port, but the decision taken by competitors – whether to take the shorter route, which is into the tidal stream, or the longer less tidal one sweeping into Belle Greve Bay – can be the difference between the times.
First boat away was women’s pair Wheeler Developments with Margi Jorgensen sitting in an unfamiliar position as a replacement bow rower. That did not prove to be an obstacle as the pairing powered their way to a class-winning time of 18-09, finishing ahead of rivals Geomarine by 1-12.
Joe Paul and Paul Isaacs finished fastest of the five men’s pairs in a time of 15-59 in their quick, but sensitive boat.
Tim Duquemin and Adam Heaume finished second in 17-58, which was a tremendous result for the due who are in only their second season and who have been hampered by inconsistent preseason training after discovering their new Source Recruitment boat was damaged on arrival.
Karl Pedersen and Simon Marley placed third. Having switched positions in their boat and deciding on taking the longer route into the bay, the two factors might have combined in them finishing over one minute behind the second-placed crew.
Fourth place went to James Murray and Will Dodds who struggled with some sloppy conditions. They had completed the same course some two minutes faster the previous evening in a training run.
BTS, who also took the longer route, finished fifth.
Paula van Katwyk, who finished in 22-49, nearly five minutes ahead of rival Carol Le Page, dominated the women’s singles once more while the men’s was won by Paul Montague in 19-15 with Neil Brennan, also taking the longer route, placing second.
Both mixed pairs opted for the more direct one and team FRM, comprising stand-in Andy Chapple and Sarah Stonebridge, finished in 18-27, some 15 seconds ahead of experienced Steve Pipe and Liz Bellot.
CMC Sirens topped the women’s fours class in a convincing 18-30.
Coxed by Dan Tall, who chose an excellent course, keeping more in the tidal stream but taking the shorter route, the stylish quartet finished some 90 seconds ahead of Two Degrees North, who probably suffered by carrying excess water due to a damaged boat.
Saffrey Champness placed a commendable third in the ex Geomarine boat. The girls, having a new team and boat, will surely improve once they spend more time together in the water.
Fourth-placed Hash Anchorettes finished in 21-15, although almost certainly lost time as they missed their allotted start.
Another crew with a new line-up this year is team Ruby. Second in last year’s women’s fours championship and winners of the Brest Regatta, they too chose a good course but could not make an impact on the leading crews.
In the men’s fours, team FRM were some 40 seconds ahead of Bank Julius Baer, who seem to be beset with injuries and are hoping they can establish a reliable line-up.
Surprise package Thames River are settling into their rowing early and proved so by finishing just eight seconds behind the second-placed crew, with Fitness Factory taking fourth position. Their preseason training comprised an impromptu outing the night before the time trial.
Veteran crew the Master Boaters tried a new line-up, moving Brian Staples into the middle of the boat and Pete Garfield to stroke.
Finishing some 50 seconds behind Fitness Factory, the Boaters are awaiting delivery of a new set of oars which, it is hoped will narrow the gap.
Long Port, who finished just under 20 seconds adrift of fifth, will be looking to get their new rowers up to speed quickly to put the mid-pack crews under pressure. Results Page 46
* The next race is on Friday 30 May in Havelet Bay starting at 6.30pm.
Article posted on 1st May, 2008 - 2.29pm
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