TPA embrace ‘difficult race’ to claim another Sark to Jersey win

Last year’s edition of the 27km inter-island spectacle was postponed before being dropped altogether, and the 2024 event – which had already been pushed back from June – seemed to be under threat from the weather.

Saturday came and the race thankfully went ahead, albeit with rather rough conditions and an unfavourable tide to test even the hardiest of rowers.

The few Guernsey crews that competed were rewarded handsomely as, alongside the top men’s quad defending their title from 2022, the island secured victory in the prestigious combined-class Le Poidevin Trophy.

The rough seas may well have played into TPA’s hands, as even a relatively unimpressive time of 2hrs 11min. 35sec. earned them a convincing victory.

Familiar French double Big Mat reached Bonne Nuit in 2-14-04, with Jersey’s top quads offering on the day, Boat 203, taking third in 2-16-06.

Simon Johns, who rowed alongside James Coquelin, Tim Nicolle, James Travers and cox Lloyd Le Page, admitted he did not know what to expect.

‘We were really happy with getting the result,’ he said.

‘It was an unknown Jersey fours. We have never raced them before, and the conditions were extremely challenging. Perfectly safe, but just extremely challenging, as reflected in our finishing time – which is the second slowest I have ever rowed it in.’

The margin of victory does not tell the whole story, for they had trailed the Jersey quad initially, with the French double following a different line and therefore difficult to gauge.

TPA had forged ahead after 40min. and continued to chip away from there.

Speaking of the challenging conditions, Johns feels their commitment to training no matter the weather may have benefited them.

‘We are an experienced crew.

‘We have never shied away from training, so when there’s a difficult race, it may often play out in our favour.’

The Swoffers men’s double, consisting of Pierre Mahy and Chris Markham, had finished second in their class and fourth overall in 2-27-56.

The Cool Rowings quad had done well simply to finish after suffering a snapped oar only 3km in, after which they persisted to clock 2-47-17 for seventh.

Their row marked a major milestone for the oldest competitor, Dave Perrio, who successfully completed his 40th ‘S2J’.

Nathalie Gourio was less fortunate and had to retire after attempting the brutal row as a women’s singles competitor.

All in all, it was a heavily depleted field, with just 10 crews finishing.