Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club have secured multiple accolades at this year’s Tudor Challenge in Langstone Harbour, including fastest Pilot Gig and 2nd place overall, after battling challenging Force 5 winds in the latter stages of the race.
The Tudor Challenge was first launched by Tudor Sailing Club in 2022, following the formation of its rowing section in 2016. The fixed-seat rowing event, now a highlight of the regional rowing calendar, covers a gruelling 10-mile course around Langstone Harbour.
A field of 25 boats, including crews from as far afield as Scotland and Spain, took part in this year’s competition. Yarmouth Gig Rowing Club entered their Cornish Pilot Gig ‘Sea Spirit’, manned by a 7-strong crew, and set off in the final wave of staggered starts under glorious sunshine.
The crew quickly pulled away from other Pilot Gigs, gradually reeling in the rest of the fleet. By the halfway point near Hayling Island Bridge, the heat was beginning to take its toll, but conditions changed dramatically on the return leg as a gusting South West wind reached Force 5 against an ebbing tide, creating testing waters.
Despite the challenge, the Yarmouth crew pushed on, overtaking all but one boat by the finish line – some of which had a 15-minute head start. When handicaps were factored in, the results confirmed:
- Fastest Pilot Gig – First in Class
- Winner of the ‘Tudor Relic’ Trophy – awarded to the fastest Men’s Vets Crew (all over 55
- 2nd place overall with a time of 1 hour 52 minutes
Keith Campbell, Chairman and coxswain during the race, has said:
“A great day out and fantastic crew effort in conditions, especially in the second half, that although challenging are quite normal during our training rows in the Hurst Narrows out on the Solent. This continues a very successful run this season in races we have entered, which for a small club on the Isle of Wight is quite an achievement.”
