Offshore wins for Torquay and Teign

By cclarke

TORQUAY and Teign Scullers crews both claimed victories at the 10th annual Exmouth Offshore Regatta.

The South Devon clubs were joined by crews from the host club, Mayflower, Loughborough and Southampton to make up the largest entry list in the regatta's 10-year history.

The 8km course had a start line just off the beach which went via a marked channel to the Fairway Buoy and then back to Exmouth Seafront.

The weather was also a factor with light winds, overcast skies and flat seas.

A quad four from Southampton took the ladies' race in a time of 38mins 53secs while the Torquay pair of Kerstine Gardner and Polly Eldridge dominated the double sculls to win in 39:22.

The men's race produced an unfortunate event for the home club.

Two Exmouth crews were battling for the lead with Torquay's Chris Akers, Jamie Dawe, Nick Gagg, Maurice Dunn and cox Katie Cudmore, when the Exmouth boats locked together. While the Exmouth boats were disentangling, Torquay went on to win in 34:48.

Adam Livett and Nic Bourne of Teign Scullers took the double sculls in 36:57, while Torquay's Polly Eldridge and Jamie Dawe also won the mixed double sculls in 37:06.