NINE gigs from Brightlingsea, Wivenhoe, Rowhedge, Pyefleet and Burnham arrived at Maldon for the penultimate leg of the Harker’s Yard Winter Series hosted by the Maldon Gig Rowing Club.

The wind had been blowing strongly from the north east for several days during the week which had made it bitterly cold and exposed on the River Blackwater, with very choppy seas.

Fortunately the wind went into the north and then flipped into the north-west and abated for Sunday giving excellent conditions for rowing.

Nine gigs were taking part in three races, ladies’, men’s and mixed crew. The start line was between two yellow buoys laid in the river for the event by Tommy Mills, Officer of the Day and the safety boats were in position.

Paul Woolnough from the commentary box kept crews and spectators alike well informed and also gave each gig it’s start countdown.

The course was set downriver towards Heybridge Basin, past Brythnoth on the Promenade Extension with channel buoys numbers 14 and 13 being the outer marks.

The ladies’ teams were the first to begin with each of the nine gigs being timed over the line at two-minute intervals with the aim of catching the gig ahead and to complete the course in the best possible time.

The ladies’ race was followed by the men’s and the mixed team events.

So there was plenty of activity to keep supporters and spectators interested with all teams pulling as hard as they could as they approached the finish line back at the Hythe.

Results: Ladies: 1 Vanduara (Brightlingsea) 13.12 minutes, 2 Record Reign (Maldon) 14.47, 3 Mahala (Mersea Island) 14.56. Men: 1 Record Reign (Maldon) 12.45, 2 Mahala (Mersea Island) 12.47, 3 Pyefleet (Pyefleet) 13.06. Mixed Crew: 1 Vanduara (Brightlingsea), 12.23, 2 Mahala (Mersea Island) 12.45, 3 Pyefleet (Pyefleet) 13.41.

There is one leg of the 2014/15 series to go and that will be held at Rowhedge on February 22.