Salcombe Estuary Rowing Club’s ladies super vet rowers headed to Appledore’s Su­per Vet Regatta last weekend to do battle with 22 others teams from around the South West.

Many of these rowers are heading to the World Championships on Scilly in May, so the competition was fierce. These crews, all of whom need to be over 50 to qualify to take part, are experienced racers and are highly competitive – age is no barrier to fitness and strength, and this was very much in evidence on the water.

Appledore SV two-day regatta, now in its third year, is a great testing ground for these crews. As the tide started to flood, the first heats got on to the water, ready for fast sprint races of around one mile, taking around six minutes for the men and seven to eight minutes for the women.

Salcombe sailed through the first heat on Saturday, getting a great start, and coming in a comfortable third place, which qualified them for the semi-finals.

Sunday morning began with a few nerves, knowing that the best clubs were left in the draw. In their semi-final Salcombe were drawn against strong crews including Ilfra­combe, Rock and Wey­mouth.

Knowing they had to get into the first three to make the finals, they went for it, fighting hard against their opposition and coming in second.

The finals were set with only five crews to beat, but they included the previous round winners Ilfracombe and Weymouth. A messy start line didn’t put the girls off and, concentrating hard on their cox, they waited for the signal ‘Go’!

Giving everything they had, they rowed long and strong for the finish. With Ilfracombe a length ahead, the race for second with Wey­mouth was on, with both boats claiming the lead several times along the course.

With only yards to go the boats were neck and neck and although the Salcombe crew gave everything they had, Weymouth pipped them to the line by a bow fender, the very narrowest of margins.

Salcombe men’s Scilly A crew were also competing in sprints at Bristol and did the club proud by coming second overall, a great result leading into the World Championships.

If you are interested in following Salcombe Estuary Rowing club or joining, please go to www.salcomberow

ing.co.uk.

Crew: Jennie Ross, Emma Gray, Tracy Jones, Karen Ascott, Vanessa Barton, Annie Quinton and cox Jane Kraeter.