Appledore Regatta Results

7 clubs attended Appledore Pilot Gig Club’s regatta on Saturday, including local teams Barnstaple, Bideford and Torridge.

The wild weather meant all other Gig regattas were cancelled but a revised course heading up and down the river using the shelter provided by Appledore Quay allowed this event to go ahead.

This also provided great viewing opportunities for  supporters and visitors to cheer on the crews.

The races were dominated by the local crews with Appledore taking 8 victories and a second place in the 9 races held.

Torridge won the Ladies Supervets (over 50s) race, and achieved 4 2nd place positions.

Bideford came 2nd in both the Men’s A and Men’s Supervets.

The closest race was the Men’s A where Appledore and Bideford have developed a strong rivalry this season. The strength of these 2 crews makes for exciting, close races with Appledore taking the spoils this time.

A combined Junior and Novice race was held with crews starting up river and sprinting the length of the Quay. Appledore under 14s and under 16s performed excellently in the tough conditions just beating the mixed novice crews who had several people enjoying their first taste of gig racing.

A day of great camaraderie and tough racing saw Appledore take overall victory, Torridge in 2nd place and newcomers Combwich from Somerset take 3rd.