With over 40 competitive gigs already on the Islands, the World Championships are well and truly on their way. We take this opportunity at Scilly News to speculate over possible outcomes and preview the biggest of all events in the Scillonian Calendar.
You would either have to be very brave or a simple fool to bet against the Mary Newman winning their fifth championship in a row in the mens event. I’m not saying which of these I claim to be, but I genuinely believe that it is possible for one of two other crews to beat Caradon this year.
Having watched every World Championship and the past two Newquay Championships, I have been consistently impressed by Roseland’s Killigerran, and Falmouth’s Idas. These crews have taken note of what a supreme outfit the Mary Newman are, and I also think they appreciate just how much work is needed in order to raise themselves to outright champion form. That is why I back the Killigerran to win this years’ men’s World Championship title. Controversial! No one is playing up Scilly’s chances in the men’s event this year, due to arguments and less training than usual, but who is to say they can’t improve on their 10th position of last year… There will also, of course, be competition from the two new off-Island gigs, the Gallatea from St. Martins, and the Emperor from Tresco.
“subinfo”The current World and County Champions, here pictured after their impressive win in Newquay in 2001./span
For the women, there is no reason to believe that the current World Champions, the Tregarthens Ladies, will not retain their crown, especially as they re-affirmed their calibre by winning the Newquay Championship in Autumn 2001. The closest challenge is likely to come from the ever spirited Dutch crew in the Neptunus, or another gig with a Norse connection, the Odin which is rowed by the Par women. Of course you can never discount the women’s Caradon crew or indeed the Falmouth and Mounts Bay crews who traditionally do well. Taking this into account, can Scilly repeat the unique best crew worst crew double of last year. Me thinks so!
With the ever increasing number of gigs taking part, it has to be said that the first race from St. Agnes to St. Marys will pose a problem. Two years ago, we saw the first ever restart of this opening race. Utter chaos. Organising 87 oar powered 30foot long boats into a straight line is a strategic nightmare at the best of times, but, as no-one would wish to see an end to this spectacular start to the racing weekend, the judges surely need to rely on the good sense of the crew, and if necessary, demotion or relegation for cheating gigs. Some crews are always going to feel hard done by, but this will be almost impossible to rectify. I would suggest the answer would be for the starting judges to be fair but not pragmatic to the point of being pedantic.
Close finishes like this one have been contentious issues in the past, as some crews claimed the finish buoy moved with the tide.
Another point for equality is at the finishing line. The action replay and the ‘Photo Finish’ were brought in recently, but much controversy was caused by the tendency of the Finish line buoy to move with the tide and wind (especially when also caught by the prop of a RIB). This proves that there is a need for accurate photo finish facilities, and the Scilly News team last year identified and revealed at least one anomaly in the final placing. Going back to the finish buoy question, surely it would be fairer if the finish line was a fixed point between Quay Head and Newford Island, and the buoy be simply used as an approximation.
With the more gigs that come over, the more interest is generated and of course, the more accommodation is needed. This year, the St. Agnes campsite is being used for many of the crews as an overspill from the Garrison site on St. Marys. This has been welcomed by all as beneficial to the economy of Scilly.
Overall this years champs should be truly stunning. It has been predicted that many more visitors will come to watch the events, which can only be a good thing. Scilly’s resources will be tested to the full and so will the dedicated team which organise and maintain the event over the weekend. Bring on May 3rd!
Title photo by George Kershaw. Other photos by Julian Pearce.