World Pilot Gig Championships - 2009

A Scilly Virgin

I have no idea how I am going to put into words just how wonderful my experience of
the World Pilot Gig Championships was.  

I had no idea what to expect.  Every part of the weekend was a new adventure for me.
 The trip across on the Sickallonian was enjoyable for 3 of us but sadly it was very
uncomfortable for Aby.  I had never visited the Scillys and I am now very annoyed
with myself that we have missed out on such a lovely place to visit.   Our
accommodation (although far out) was really nice. ( Not sure about the rough family
in the next chalet!!!......I think his name was Mark James!!)   I was sooo excited
about the racing and a little scared if I'm honest.  

On Friday 1st May.

We ventured down to the town and met up with some of the crew.  I still have a vivid
image in my mind of the sight of all the gigs together on the green and beach.  It
was a stomach tingling feeling to see so many Gigs.  After getting Defiance on the
beach and ready to go we then had a bit of free time before the meal at the Bishop
and Wolf.  While we met for the meal the Vets race was underway.  The ladies did
very well....well done (18th \ 35).  We will swiftly move on and not mention the
Men's!!!!
After a lovely meal we walked down to the Mermaid for a few........orange juices!!!
(its hard being a professional sportswoman!!!)  SOME OF US....had a an early night
to be fresh and ready for Saturday.

Saturday 2nd May.

Oh wow....my stomach was doing triple somersaults.  I managed 2 bowls of porridge
and couldn't wait to get to the green.  We all looked very smart in our new
gear....very professional.  I did try to remember to breath in as the tops are less
than generous in size or is that just me?   We (ladies A) went for a quick warm
up......it was certainly choppy together with a few lovely swells!!  We then headed
back to prepare ourselves for the Aggie Race.  What a feeling to see SO many
Gigs....I know I keep harping on about it but boy oh boy it is a sight I will never
forget.  I really didn't care about the swells as it was all so fantastic.  The row
to the start was very interesting!!  I have learnt a lot about some of my crew!!  I
love how they are all so feminine and sophisticated as we rowed through the natural
wind to get to our starting place!!  My nerves were at peak, I felt light
headed.......it was unbelievable.  
Flags up.........ready...........GO!!! (except we didn't....unfortunately we were
blocked in!  We did get started eventually)  It took me a while to settle into it, I
felt so panicky, the adrenalin was on over drive but wow....what a feeling.  It was
truly awesome!!  Jack was brilliant, he kept us going and encouraged us to the
finish.  We came 62nd \ 114. Not world champs but hey....the best feeling ever!  
We were all tired but I just wanted to do it again! Well done to the Ladies B too.
(102nd \ 114)
The men's race then followed, I watched from the harbour.  I think I can speak for
all the girls...we are SO VERY PROUD of you lads....well done......you have trained
SO hard and deserved to come 35th \ 118.   Well done to Men's B (114th \ 118)  No
one from St Ives came last......yahoo.
After shovelling pasta down we then went and did it all again!  Fantastic.  Sadly
non of us moved up but we should not forget that its the taking part that counts.  I
really cannot remember my head hitting the pillow that night!  I slept like a baby. 


Sunday 3rd May.

Up bright and early and feeling refreshed we made our way to the green.  I have to
say I was hungry for success!  Everyone was there and chirpy.  
The rowing to the start everytime was a memorable and hilarious experience.  Naomi
and Louise are legends!!  Louise, Louise.......what can I say....(or at least try to
say without giving the game away!).  I would go with you.........ANYWHERE!!!! Not in
the boat though! Naomi....well, where do I start.  You made me laugh SO hard that I
was SICK over the side of the boat before the race!!!  You are so funny.  I was so
chuffed to come 3rd in our round this time.  We had such a good start and the
weather was fab.  The wind was right behind us coming back in. 

The final Race:

I could not believe that this was the final time I would experience this......I
wanted it to go on for another few days!  I don't think the kids could have though
as they were up and down with the support boat everyday.  I have never heard Gary
with such a sexy husky voice, he belted out Defiance and Porthminster so many times
that he could hardly speak by the last race.  I think we all heard him, Aby and
Aaron. The final race was as exciting as the first, full adrenalin and off we went. 

I thought that the end of this race was very special.  When we all joined up
together and started singing and drinking was another memorable time.  I have to
confess that I cried with emotion.  Being a City girl...I found the whole thing so
emotional.  After watching the men we all went to put the boats away on the
trailers, I think we were all a bit tipsy as there was a lot of laughter and
singing.  It was a great atmosphere.  After this we all went and got changed and met
up at the Club. This time we could ALL DRINK!!  Although this night was not my best
effort at drinking!  Monday night was my finest hour!!
We did make our way to the BBQ but left quite early as the queues were long and Aby
and Aaron were very tired.

Monday 4th May.

Aching and tired I woke up at leisure.  We lazed about for most of the morning.  We
jumped in a taxi with the James' and made our way to the town.  We realised quite
quickly that the lads had already started drinking.....in fact most of them were
finished!!  They had been drinking since the morning playing drinking games in the
pub which attracted a lot of attention!  We had dinner with them all and had a laugh
at Ade asleep at the table.  (there are pictures flying around somewhere of him with
strange things on his head!!)
Some of us went on to the Atlantic.......oh dear......this is where I did do some
serious drinking!  I do have a party trick to show you.....another time!  After
causing mayhem we left for the club and Andy led me astray!!  She is very
persuasive....she made me behave like that!!  (what happens on tour ...stays on
tour!!)  Lets move on.......
Trying to get home was almost a disaster!  We had to walk as the taxis had all
finished.  Mark and Amanda went off on there bikes and it suddenly dawned on us that
we had no idea which direction we should head!!!  After walking for miles and the
children scared and in the pitch black we finally saw lights heading towards
us.....it was Mark and Lewis....thank goodness for that.  We had a hilarious bike
ride home.  I fell in the hedge 3 times!

Tuesday 5th May.

A very sad day.....it was all over. Time to go back to reality and we all didn't
want to!!

I cannot wait til the next time.

Thank you to all the club for helping make this old Scilly virgin a veteran!!
 
Mandy XXXX