Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club celebrated victory at the Hamble River Raid after Sea Spirit stormed to first place and narrowly missed the course record by just one second.
Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club enjoyed a successful outing at the annual Hamble River Raid after claiming victory in the Cornish Pilot Gig race.
The popular rowing event, held on the River Hamble, features a challenging 7km course starting at Hamble Quay in South Hampshire before heading upriver and back again.
More than 65 craft took part, including kayaks and Cornish Pilot Gigs, all navigating the busy waterway.
Yarmouth entered both of its Cornish Pilot Gigs — Sea Spirit and Spirit — with mixed crews competing in a field of eight gig boats.
Both crews made strong starts, but it was Sea Spirit that gradually pulled clear of the pack before going on to win convincingly.
The crew also recorded the fastest time of any vessel competing on the day, crossing the line in 40 minutes and one second — just one second outside the course record.
Club chairman and race coxswain Keith Campbell said:
“This was a very successful day for Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club.
“Both crews acquitted themselves very well and for Sea Spirit to not only win the race but also in a near record time was very pleasing.
“This continues a very successful start to the season for the club, having entered two regattas and won them both, which for a small club on the Isle of Wight is quite an achievement.”
