ROWERS competed in memory of Andrew Mahy in the only mass start race of the season. Starting between La Salerie and Longstore, crews sprinted across Belle Greve Bay, around Vivian beacon and then across the Little Russel to Alligande marker before fighting the tide back towards the finish line in Havelet Bay.

Men’s four crew Nova were quickest off the mark and breezed around the course in a new record time of 38min. 6sec. to claim victory as the first boat home. Thames River Capital finished just under two minutes later, also breaking the current club record.

But it was further back in the fleet where the biggest of tussles took place, as an almighty battle emerged between The Partnership and Close Fund Services.

Both crews had a solid start as they sprinted along the first leg towards Vivian beacon. Once through the choppy swell, Close stepped up the power to push forward and gain a slight lead over their rivals.

As the two equally competitive crews approached Alligande, The Partnership managed to pull back and take the lead upon turning into the home straight. With just one mile to go, Close produced a surge of speed and pulled even with them once again.

Over the final half mile, Close Fund Services really pushed and their efforts were rewarded with victory in a time of 44min. 10sec. The Partnership followed a mere 5 sec. later.

Three other crews were also scuffling with one another but they were all from different classes.

Women’s four Geomarine, mixed four Channel Island Ceramics and men’s four Hash Anchors appeared to mimic the head-to-head battle being fought further up the fleet. Each crew took it in turns at one stage to edge ahead of fellow competitors and even the coxes were under pressure as their plotted courses mattered more so than ever.

Ultimately, it was Geomarine who crossed the line first in a time of 45min. 24sec. with Hash Anchors fending off CI Ceramics just 12 seconds later.

Elsewhere across the fleet, men’s pair Prout and Pederson secured another win, producing a new record time of 42min. 43sec.

Peter Baudains and Matt Toussaint made a creditable first performance in the borrowed Ozannes craft producing a time of 57min. 49sec.

The final record to fall was taken by Karl Guille in a time of 1hr. 45sec.

The next race in the GRC calendar is today’s Havelet to Rocquaine which, being the longest of the season so far, is a good build-up to the 40th Sark to Jersey.