TWO Dart Gig Club ladies' crews took part in the County Gig Championships in Newquay at the weekend.

The championships are the second most prestigious event of the season after the world championships on the Isles of Scilly in May.

Around 90 crews take part every year.

Dart B were drawn to row in heat six, while Dart A rowed in heat 10. 

Dart B took a while to settle to their stroke but kept up with the pack for the whole race, managing clean buoy turns and sprints at the start of each leg to finish the race in 18 minutes and 39 seconds.

The A crew had a great start, rowed a strong first leg and were seen to round the mark in fourth place. 

They then fought their own race with 'Falcon', who almost caught up, but Dart upped their rate and pulled away to round the second mark ahead and finished in 17 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Unfortunately due to deteriorating conditions, a large chunk of racing was cancelled on Saturday and the Dart A crew did not discover they had made it through to the second round until 9pm.

They were unable, therefore, to travel down for the second round on Sunday. The championships were subsequently won by the Falmouth A crew.

Dart ladies' captain Clare Thorp thanked all crew members for travelling down and rowing in challenging conditions and Paul Kunert for coxing the rowers. 

The A crew took 49th and the B crew 63rd out of a total 88 crews.

Jane Naish from the club said: 'Well done to our Newquay novices, both of whom enjoyed their day and went home with some exciting memories. 

'Before we left for Dartmouth the club cake was cut to celebrate the end of the season – we now have just the Lizzie Pyne Lay-up race later in the month.

'However, before then, our men will be representing Dart at Newquay on September 17, as there is always a fortnight between the championships.

'As such, we wish them good luck and a calmer ride.'

Ladies A:  Peta Chivers, Clare Thorp, Maggie Trubshaw, Wendy Jones, Amanda Dyer, Debbie Gillard and cox Paul Kunert.

Ladies B: Paula Hine, Jane Naish, Carol Squire, Lisa Care, Mary Eames, Lin Lloyd and cox Paul Kunert.