Gig challenge is blown off course
SIX rowers had to be rescued as gale force winds hampered
the annual Eddystone challenge gig race.
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CHOPPY: The White Hart team set off (above) while other crews were slightly more wrapped up against the elements (below)
One competitor was so exhausted he had to take refuge on
Drake's Island before being picked up by safety boats.
Five others had to radio through to the support team and be
pulled aboard safety boats during the event on Saturday.
Tony Lovering, one of the event's organisers, said: "Weather
conditions have never been so bad along the river, it was a
beastly day."
Conditions were so severe with winds gusting up to gale
force eight that organisers were forced to change the course
from the usual 40km row out to sea and round the Eddystone
lighthouse to a shorter distance on the River Tamar along the
Bere Peninsula.
This is the second time the race has had to be moved to the
river section in the six years it has run.
A strong incoming tide further ensured that conditions were
too dangerous for the race to take place at sea – but spirits
were still running high.
Jeff Hammond, another organiser, said: "It was a very
testing row and paddle and tested competitors to the limit.
"Those who completed it got a tremendous amount of
satisfaction."
More than 100 people took part forming 40 crews from across
the UK.
The fastest vessel was a double gig crewed by John Elliot
and Stan Missen from Bradford on Avon, winning the race in two
hours 13 minutes, a performance that was described by
organisers as 'awesome'.
Mr Hammond thanked the Plym Yacht Club, who greatly assisted
the event by providing yachts to act as course markers and
safety facilities.
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