Rough ride for the very best: Julius Bar struggle with choppy seas around Herm. (Pictures by Tim Prout, 0798638)

CENKOS fours boat won the combined races trophy at the end of a thrilling weekend’s racing around Herm.

Three races in three days taking in what must be the most scenic rowing anywhere in Europe, is only half the story.

For many rowers they also approach the races with some trepidation and, on this occasion, some of their fears were well founded, with several collisions with rocks, boats broken as well as oars.

The whole weekend works as a self contained handicap competition, but the individual races also count towards the overall handicap and championship series.

Friday’s perfect conditions meant a fast and furious crossing to Herm from Havelet Bay.

Handicap races in offshore rowing are calculated by working out the team’s average boat speed in all races that season and then altering the start times so that the slower boats set off first and the faster ones last.

If all goes to plan it makes for a very exciting finish as singles, pairs and fours boats all converge on the finish line in Herm harbour at the same time.