The continuing poor weather meant a revised course for the Havelet to Rocquaine race. A three lap inshore course departing Havelet Bay heading south toward a turn buoy past Fermain bay then heading back to Havelet Bay provided the 22 boats with an approximate 14k distance.

First boats away were Paula Van Katwyk who is slowly recovering from injury and lone fixed seat participant Karl Guille, both being the only representatives in their respective classes they stayed relatively close together for the first lap prior to Van Katwyk slowly pulling away to finish ahead of Guille by just over 6 minutes.

Solitary women’s pair Wheeler Developments completed the course in 1:21:03

Guernsey’s travelling European windsurfer James Briggs made a return to local waters, after gaining valuable experience on the World windsurfing circuit he put up a brave fight against Paul Montague over the first lap however finished some 90 seconds behind his opponent.

In the women’s fours class, the CMC sirens lost their 100% record so far this year with a comprehensive victory by the Ruby Anchorettes crew, on this occasion stroked by the impressive Margi Jorgensen. The Anchorettes ladies led from the start and built up a commanding lead cruising to a healthy finish over two minutes ahead of their rivals. While the CMC sirens will have secured enough points to win the Guernsey championship, all eyes will now be on both crews when they come up against the experienced Jersey ladies in the Sark to Jersey race at the end of August. Two Degrees North placed third while Saffery Champness who competed with a novice crew placed fourth.

The closest championship of the season has been the mixed pairs, with the two crews at the top of the table Team FRM and Liz Bellot rowing with Matt Toussaint on this occasion set off in what may have been the championship deciding race. However Sarah Stonebridge from team FRM snapped an oar on the first lap giving their rivals a winning opportunity. Sam De Kooker completed the race in the FRM boat by himself to gain third place points after Stonebridge took and early bath by swimming back to shore, second place on this occasion went to the newly formed crew for this race of Trevor Coulter from the Thames River crew and Regina Luxon.

DDM absolute the dominant men’s pairing this year continued their winning ways with yet another emphatic victory in the class, beating Source Recruitment by approximately seven minutes with The Design Village racing for the first time this year in their new boat finishing third.

The men’s fours class provided keen racing, championship winning crew Team FRM won the class by just over one minute however their victory is subject to an inquiry as they were ahead of the start line by over a boat length at the start of the race, second placed crew Bank Julius Baer with stand in stroke Will Dodds challenged hard during the race however their design of boat is at a disadvantage when turning compared to the team FRM boat. Most interesting race of the evening was the battle between Legis Clubhouse Casuals who were borrowing a new boat, and MS Fitness Factory. At the end of the first lap the Legis and Factory crews were side by side going into the tight last turn buoy, the Legis crew took the corner to sharp allowing the Factory crew to turn inside them and gain a two length advantage, however the Legis crew battled hard over the next two laps to reduce the deficit but try as they did just could not overhaul their more experienced rivals. An interesting contest that will most likely continue for the remainder of the season as the ever improving Legis crew make big gains with their borrowed faster boat. Fifth place went to Longport and the Master Boaters crews respectively, with the Master Boaters introducing a new rower to their team, Peter Head a mere 63 years of age.

Weather permitting, the next race with be the rearranged Rocquaine Regatta race on Wednesday 27th August over an alternative ‘town’ course starting at 6pm.