BUDE'S Pilot Gig Club men's team won the hotly contested Appledore Pilot Gig sprints at the recent Appledore Regatta.
Teams from Appledore, Boscastle, Clovelly, Dartmouth, Paignton, Ilfracombe, Swanage, Torridge and Weymouth clubs, made racing intensely competitive. The sprints, held over a distance of 1km test the fitness of the crews to the limit.
Captain, Josh Stevens said "We took an inside berth so that we could see all the other boats on our stroke side, but this meant we needed a good start to avoid the moored boats. Pulling away at the start with a fast stroke rate we gradually took the lead then allowed ourselves to lengthen the stroke and stay in front to the finish line. We then raised our oars whilst the other teams crossed the line. Half the crew are new to the club this year so it was a great win.
Coxswain, Rachel Bray, said: "We had a fine start and I managed to keep a straight racing line by focusing on the lighthouse. Appledore gave us a hard run for the line. It is the first time in six years that they haven't won the race!"
To add to the success Bude also won the Mixed Novice Race with Alan Fanson as Coxswain. He said "We had a good start and I kept them all calm. It was a very close race, shouting all the way, it was three minutes of hell!"
The Men's A crew consisted of: Lee Rowland, Andy Bray, Robbie Jones, Alan Fanson, Tony Denfold, Josh Stevens (Capt), with cox: Rachel Bray.
The Mixed Novice crew were: Caroline McCarthy, Gemma Creighton, Polly Torridge. Tony Webb, Lee Rowland. Mary Milligan, and cox: Alan Fanson,