Dart Gig Club held its annual lay-up race last Sunday. They were joined by Salcombe, Paignton, Britannia Royal Naval College men and Brixham for the race up to Ditti­sham.

As usual, the women raced up and the men down.

Dart once again had three gigs in the line-up. The women raced up against the tide but with the wind behind them.

Off the start, Brix­ham edged into the lead with Volante just behind. The first two boats had a very close race all the way to Dit­tisham, with Brixham pulling into a length lead just before Green­away.

Paignton, who have not made it to many races this year, raced well to come in third, with a Salcombe novice crew in fourth, Dart’s Smudger in fifth and Dart’s Lightning in sixth place.

Refreshments followed at the Ferry Boat Inn before the men raced back to Dart­mouth.

Six crews lined up for the start of the men’s race (with some ladies adding to the Paignton crew). Dart in Volante and Brixham in Pegasus both had strong starts and Peg­asus took a slight lead from the Anchor Stone.

Both boats pulled clear of the rest of the fleet. By the half way mark Dart started to edge in front.

The crews had a long slog back into a freshening SE wind, making for a nasty wind over out-going tide chop. By the finish, just below the Higher Ferry, Dart crossed the line with a four-length lead in what was a great race.

BRNC, despite being a length down on the start, rowed strongly to come home third. Dart’s Smudger came in fourth, with Sal­combe in fifth and the mixed Paignton crew bringing up the rear.

The usual refreshments followed in DARC, provided by club members. The first place Lyzie Pyne trophies were presented to Dart for the men’s race and Brixham for the ladies. The second place men’s trophy went to Brixham. The Dart men also received the Eddie Preece Trophy.

The club is indebted to those who supplied supporters boats and is grateful to everyone who helped out on the day including all the club members who supplied food. Our thanks also go to Steve Hawke of DARC for all his assistance.

For the ladies, Volante was rowed by Bonnie Chi­vers, Kath­arine Money, Ali Bland, Chloe Gard­ner, Paula Hine, Karen Harvey cox Richard Bland.

In Smudger was Peta Chiv­ers, Katie Lilling­ton, Amanda Dyer, Clare Thorp, Camilla McGo­wan-Scanlon, Lynne Maurer and cox Paul Kunert.

Lightning comprised Kathy (from Brixham) Annie Worsfold, Mag­gie Rus­sell, Liz Mose­ley, Aga Malec, Linda Cann and cox Michael Bryant-Mole.

For the men, Volante consisted of Adrian Bailey, Lea Humph­reys, Chris Gale, Rupert Kempley, Luke Cum­berledge, Tony Doidge and cox Clare Thorp.

Smudger was crewded by Lance Worth­ington, Stan Bray, Richard Bland, Andy Mattinson, Paul Kunert, Michael Bryant-Mole and cox Amanda Dyer.