Sunday 6th February saw Round 8 of the Harkers Yard Gig Series at Wivenhoe Sailing Club on the Colne, with 17 gigs taking part. Elettra arrived early, despite a late night for some of the team at the Winter Ball! Due to the narrowness of the river and the short tidal window, the races were, once again, time trials with pairs of gigs starting at one minute intervals. The course this year was downriver to Alresford Creek and back, a distance of nearly 3 nautical miles.
Elettra’s Ladies team raced first. Coxed by Cap’n Kev with Edyta Hayward (stroke) Sophie Clayton, Lauren Hughes and Jenny Ball. Paired with UCSC Brightlingsea gig Moliette, Elettra got off to a really good start and quickly pulled ahead. As they headed downriver, hugging the Rowhedge shore, they began to gain on Audacity (Wivgigs) who had started a minute ahead of Elettra. At the turning mark the bow side held water whilst the stroke side pulled hard to execute a sharp turn. With Audacity in their sights they quickly gained the advantage of the tide and passed her shortly after the mark. Meanwhile creeping up behind them was Velocity (BCRC), who had started 2 minutes behind. Unable to hold off Velocity they maintained their pace and finished 10th, with a time of 33.19. The best ever position for the Ladies! See the following video footage by Jenny Ball https://youtu.be/w3koELSjxL4
Next to race were the men. Again coxed by Cap’n Kev, the regular team of Martin Baker (stroke), Tom Clayton, Steve Cleaver and Tim Parker took to the water, aiming to finish at least 5th. Another excellent start from Cap’n Kev meant Elettra quickly pulled away from Moliette and hugged the Rowhedge shore to the point. They then rowed a straight line to the turning mark and, after a textbook turn, began to close on Audacity. Staying close to the Rowhedge shore, to gain the advantage of the tide, they took Audacity and then began to close on Hunter (Stour Sailing Club). With much encouragement from the cox and bearing in mind that every second counts, they pulled really hard and managed to beat Hunter by 6 seconds, with a time of 27.55. That time put them in 4th place, just off the prizes, with their best position ever!
Finally the Mixed team took to the water with Cap’n Kev (stroke), Clare Taylor (Lower Thames), Sandra Clayton and Jonathan Lavender rowing and Tom Clayton coxing. With another great start, just behind the line, they pulled ahead of Moliette and managed to hold her off almost to the mark. After another tight turn, with bow side holding water briefly and stroke side pulling Elettra round, they headed back up the river with the tide just starting to run hard against them. The crew continued to pull hard and began to gain on Hunter, who again had started a minute ahead. This time they hugged the Wivenhoe shore, overtook Hunter and finished in a time of 30.38 putting them in 13th position.
After a very exciting time the crews retired to the bar for a well-deserved pint and the odd cake, the men’s team particularly basking in their glory!
The next event is the MARCONI EVENT on 19th February which promises to be an exciting series of races, especially as it will be a mass start, so anything could happen! We look forward to seeing you all there especially the club members who have volunteered. There will be a raffle and cake sale in aid of the RNLI for which donations will be gratefully accepted.
Sandra Clayton
