JERSEY ROWING CLUB are set to send a record number of rowers to Italy to compete in the World Rowing Coastal Championships this coming weekend.
Across various classes in the stunning setting of Genoa, the Caesareans will compete against crews from all over the globe in races that are either 4km or 6km around a course of buoy and turning points in the open sea.
It a blockbuster field, world champions of their discipline, as well as past Olympians, will provide the Islanders a stern test on the world stage.
Jersey Rowing Club vice-captain and travelling competitor, Sarah Earles, said: “This is the highest ever number of Jersey athletes attending the WRCC.
“It is truly a marker in the growing trend of JRC members travelling off-Island to participate in a variety of coastal races and challenges.
“The JRC is represented in almost all available racing categories, and many are teaming up in composite crews with flat water rowers participating in coastal events for the first time.
“This demonstrates the growth of the sport and the positive reputation our club has in the wider rowing community.
“The Championships will be a hugely exciting, but challenging event, which has drawn record global entries. Our athletes will go up against world champions and Olympians, but we are all thrilled to be representing our club and Island.
Two IQEQ-sponsored crews are set to compete, with Laima Pacekajute in the Women’s Singles class, and the “Girls that Row” (Sarah Earles, Taye Le Monnier, Abbi and Emma Syvret and cox Susan Huelin) gracing the waters in the Women’s Quads class.
Earles and Le Monnier are also set to race together in the Women’s Doubles.
BDO crews Ana Almeida, Becca Gerard-Pearse, MJ Cnudde, Laima Pacekajute and cox Rick Rouille have entered the Women’s Quads event, while Josh Le Lere and Gary Briggs line up in the Men’s Doubles.
Joshua Watkins and James Hart are also competing in this class, alongside Hylton Harvey and Hal Flowerdew, together with JRC overseas members Jack Griffin and Jacob Rivera.
Furthermore, the impressive Watkins has also entered the Men’s Singles event.
Finally, JRC members are also set to race in two composite Men’s Quads; Rouille and Huelin (cox) in one, rowing with Tim Fenemore, Alberto Millo and Sean Sinclair, on top of Harvey and Flowerdew in another with Wilder Fulford, Ryne Robson and cox Niamh Murphy.
Meanwhile, Jersey rowing star Natacha Searson heads to Genoa the following weekend to compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.
Earles concluded: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our club, coaches, sponsors and Jersey Sport for the opportunity.”
