There can’t have been many better places to be over the long weekend than the Isle of Scilly. Thousands of spectators and competitors flocked to the islands located off the coast of Cornwall for the World Gig Rowing Championships.
Among them was Redkite Law solicitor Madeleine Pinschof, who rowed for the Hayle gig club with members of the Avon Corinthians Rowing Club based in Bristol and Portishead.
Her team did not make it past the heats, which at least had the unintended benefit of giving more time to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the hospitality of the local pubs. The landlord of the Mermaid Inn reportedly ordered 120 kegs of beer - enough for around 10,000 pints - to supply rowers and fans.
Gig rowing remains a popular sport in its south west roots, although teams for the event came from as far afield as the USA and Belgium. Six rowers and a cox make up the crew of each wooden boat, working boats taking pilots out to incoming vessels with the first to arrive getting the job.
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