Lyme Regis Gig Club Regatta watched by record crowds

There were record crowds drawn to the 2017 Lyme Rgeis Gig Club Regatta with the Cobb wall providing an excllent viewing platform (Image: Archant)

The Cobb wall provided a perfect viewing platform for what were record crowds to watch the 19 gigs in what was high quality racing fro first event to last.

The day started well for Lyme with them sharing the first four races with Weymouth.

It was Weymouth who took the honours in the opening race – the ladies vets and also the Under-16s - while Lyme rowed to victory in the men’s vets and the Under-14s. The Lyme Under-14s are enjoying a superb season and this latest success was their fourth win of the campaign.

The first of the main ladies’ races saw Bridport Gig Club display their strength as they won the C race. The ladies B was won by Weymouth, who were beginning to delivery a consistent set of results on the day to challenge for the over all trophy for the day.

The ladies A race was won by a strong Bristol crew rowing in Isambard, with second place going to Weymouth and third to North Devon club Appledore.

The men’s races followed and it was the Dart crew in Smudger that took the honours in the C race with Lyme the second boat home. Dart also enjoyed success in the B race, with Teignmouth second.

The final race of the day was the men’s A race and, fittingly across a terrific day of racing, the best was saved for last with the race one that ended with the top seven crews separated by only a few boat lengths as they crossed the line.

Victory went to Teignmouth, followed by Dart with the Lyme crew finishing fifth.

In terms of the overall trophym, the day’s honours went to Weymouth with Bridport the runners-up and hosts Lyme taking third spot on the podium.

The atmosphere on the day was fantastic, with plenty to eat and enjoy, a guest performance from Lyme’s Shanty Singers on the Cobb and of course some great racing.

Thanks goes to all the club members who worked so hard to make the day a success, to all the 16 visiting clubs, ours generous sponsors and the harbourmaster for kind support.