The captain in awe of UK oarsman Plumley

In a creative format where rowers race set distances on their own Concept2 ergometers and in meetings organised via video app Zoom, no-one could match Plumley’s searing pace over the 3.1km season opener.

But the 37-strong entry and general success of the replica St Sampson’s to St Peter Port event proved a delight for Guernsey Rowing Club captain Sam de Kooker.

One key draw of virtually-organised racing rapidly became apparent, with several overseas-based rowers lifting the standard in both the men’s and the women’s contests.

The largely UK-based Plumley, who still visits the island often and has donned GRC colours for multiple World Coastal Championships, won convincingly in 10min. 10.5sec.

Jerseymen Will Le Quelenec and Des Nevitt took second and third, just on either side of the 10-30 mark, with Carteret rower Pierrick Ledard in fourth.

Tom de Kooker was the top Guernsey-based rower and fifth overall with 10-40.0.

Tom’s brother, captain Sam, was back in eighth and impressed with Plumley’s 19sec. margin of victory.

‘It’s a huge amount and those are impressive split times,’ said de Kooker.

‘He held sub 1-40 [per 500m] the whole way through, which no-one else is able to do.

‘He’s got the experience, and when he is over here, he tends to do a few races. The fact that he was able to link in from the UK was great.’

In the earlier women’s race, Jersey’s Rosemary Satchwell reigned supreme in 12-19.2.

But with under 10sec. covering her finish from the next two in, Carteret’s Holiday Viefacile Joanne and Guernsey’s Kristine Vavere, it had been a fairly tight contest.

‘It will be interesting to see how [those three] go if they carry on,’ added the captain before commenting on the general success of the event.

‘I think the technology worked well, which is great, as I did my best not to mess that up.

‘The feedback I got from everybody is that they enjoyed it – really good fun.’