Ilfracombe vets crowned national champions

Men’s crew see off tough competition to claim top prize at Saltash

ANOTHER successful weekend for Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club saw their men’s veterans crew become national champions at the National Mixed and Vets Championships in Saltash.

The team of Barry Turner, Jez Webb, Jason Chubb, John Stanbury, Ian Halls, Keith Barclay and Cox Nell Trotter came out on top on Sunday as they stormed to the title with a string of impressive races.

In their first heat, the team flew out of the blocks, winning the first race and cruising through to the semi-finals.

After a tight race in the semis, the crew finished second, so all eyes were on the final.

Ilfracombe got the their noses in front after a superb start, with some sharp coxing by Nell Trotter taking tight turns, assisted by John Stanbury and Jez Webb. The crew flew down the final leg, as everyone gave it their all to cross the line a good three lengths ahead of the pack in a hotly-contested final.

The ladies’ vets, after a good start in the first heat, just missed out on the semis coming after a fourth place finish, but went on to win both the plate semi-finals and finals.

The men’s vets B team also had a good day at the races.

After a good start in the first heat, they cruised round the buoys with a good rate set by Richard Jeffery. The team finished second after a hard fought race on the final leg.

Another good race by the team in the semis meant they finished third, just missing out on the finals, but a fantastic result for the guys.

The event began on Saturday with the mixed crews taking part.

The mixed vets A team got off to a cracking start, maintaining the momentum right through the first heat with superb coxing by Zoe Green on their way to second place.

After steaming through the semi-finals with a win, the team were in the finals.

Following another great start, they finished third; a great result for the team.

The mixed vets B also had a successful day, winning their first heat before a second-place finish in the semis set them up for a final outing – the only B team to reach a final.

With both mixed vets teams in the final, it was sure to be a thriller, and after another hard fought battle they finished a very respectable fifth.

The mixed A crew finished first in their first heat, but just missed out on qualifying for the finals after coming fourth in the semis.

The mixed B, after some delays at the buoys due to a tight race, came fourth in the first heat, placing them in the plate semi-finals, but missed out on the final after placing third.