James Briggs rounds Lower Heads buoy on his way to men’s singles class victory in race one of the Guernsey Offshore Regatta. Leading female singles rower Margi Jorgensen is in the background, approaching the turn. (0806384)

THE 2009 Guernsey Offshore rowing regatta produced its traditional display of exciting racing over the two days of competition.

All eyes had been on the weather forecast during the days before the event due to the recent unsettled weather. Saturday’s race was to offer the competitors a moderate force three south-westerly wind that provided varied conditions ranging from calm to large waves that challenged all.

First boats to leave Havelet Bay heading out towards the Lower Heads Buoy were the singles, women’s and mixed pairs classes.

Establishing early leads were James Briggs and Margi Jorgensen in the respective men’s and women’s classes.

Both handling the challenging conditions extremely well, they maintained their positions to win their category.

Remy Alnet, who came to the regatta as mentor for the young Cherbourg Rowing Club’s French national junior four champions, elected to get into a boat for the first time since being rescued from his capsized vessel while taking part in the solo Atlantic rowing race earlier this year.

However, once rowing outside of the St Peter Port harbour and seeing the conditions ahead, he elected to retire from the race.