Better conditions compared to last year’s impending storm greeted the NB team for another visit to Boatie Blest’s Regatta – the familiar mad dash around the two harbours at Port Seton incorporating a couple of very tricky port turns.
After the umpires briefing at the Boatie gazebo the racing started at 11.30 with the traditional Port Seton vs Cockenzie race with PS extending their winning streak. Boatie Blest then won the mixed open final having posted an impressive 2 mins 33.3secs in their heat – the best time of the day. Our juniors enjoyed their heat in the Mixed Open and saw first hand the challenges presented by the ‘eastern buoy’ which seemed to be very close to the fishing trawlers moored up in the harbour!
The racing was for most part very close all day. Our Mixed Decades missing out on a final place by 2 seconds and our 45+ Men coming close as well.
First medals of the day were our Women’s 45+ beating St Ayles in the final by 2 seconds – an excellent gold medal performance! Then our 240+ Mixed crew won silver in a final against a strong and consistent St Ayles crew who they had met in the heats. Swiftly followed up by our Men’s Open crew getting the better of St Ayles by 4 seconds in the final – the look on their faces after the finish amply illustrated the effort they had put in to better their heat time by 1 second.
A familiar face on the day was our very own ‘Double Dave’ Davidson who not only rowed to the event in ‘Mange Tout’ but also coxed or rowed in most of the races including in the Mens 45+ ‘Rest of the world’ boat with Dave Hanley picking up a silver medal. He’s in ‘all the best photos’.
Thanks to everyone coming along to help and race and experiencing the pressure and madness of the 3 minute workout around the harbour. It’s not the sort of racing we do often but it does put a smile on your face – and Boatie Blest have good baking and savouries.
Next stop Eastern’s ‘Race Sunday’ 18th May. For more photos click here and look on Spond for race video. Results below.
