Three Rivers Race 2023

“… possibly the best Three Rivers ever!”

Fine conditions made for a fantastic day of racing at Saltash on Saturday 18th March 2023. Three Rivers is a challenging endurance race in any weather demanding stamina and the lack of wind and rain was well received by the competitors and organisers alike. This year was in sharp contrast to last year when the race course was shortened due to gale force winds. The Three Rivers is well known by most rowers on the circuit for leaving painful memories and blisters.

The event is the first large scale event of the season and spirits were high off the water as friends from across the community came together. 51 clubs attended the event fielded a total of 140 crews, with clubs as far afield as London Cornish and Langstone represented.

On the water, race officials were able to take advantage of the windless conditions and start the heats in swift succession. Three Rivers is often seen as an early test for crews preparing for the World Pilot Gig Championships with the 12 minute leg to the Tavy Bridge being roughly comparable to a Nut Rock. Close racing for the lead boats as they approached the Tavy Bridge on Saturday brings predictions of close racing at the World Championships next month.

Of the 70 women’s crews on the water, it was Fowey who led the fleet in Q, finishing 1 minute and 35 seconds ahead of Caradon in An Dhowrlann. Their winning time of 48 minutes and 26 seconds, evidence of their intention to lead throughout this season.

Looe men secured a time of 43 minutes and 21 seconds in Currah’s Pride, finishing just 19 seconds ahead of Coverack in Morah.

Coverack will be pleased to have shown depth across the club by placing top overall, based on the combined times of their women’s and men’s crews.

Caradon once again, demonstrated a masterclass in how to run a successful event. In addition to the usual provision of catering, toilets and the mats that protect the Green, the team pushed to make the event better than ever by using a new app for timing the races and making some changes to their slipway operations.

Leanne Woodward commented “Caradon members were thrilled to see people staying around after the event leading to a buzz on the Green, in the sailing club and at the pubs”.

The buzz continued online across the weekend and was picked up by BBC Radio Cornwall who invited the club to provide a guest for their in the ‘Where Is The Chair’ feature on James Dundons’ afternoon show.

Fantastic photos courtesy of Beckie Chudleigh