It was the largest contingent of racers since the 1970s.
This year’s Placentia Regatta on July 23 saw 63 crews competing in 22 races.
It was the 48th year for the event, which saw a higher number of younger crews, as well as teams from Harbour Grace and St. John’s compete for the top prizes.
The day started off with a broken record. The Rogers Bussey Lawyers placed first in the Senior Mens Amateur Race, and set a new course time of 8:58:83. Ben Colbourne was Cox for the team which included Brent Hickey, Adam Kavanaugh, Ron Whitten, Chris Neary, James Cadigan, Craig Whittle and Dan Cadigan.
Veteran Cox Pete Bennett came out of retirement for this event to coach his Hynes Ready Mix team to first place in the Senior Men’s Club Race, and again in the Senior Men’s Labour Race.
Cox Matt Foley brought his crews - Marquise Heavy Equipment, Mammoet Canada and Metro General Insurance - to first place finishes in the Midget Boys, Midget Girls and Squirt Boys divisions.
For Leigh-Ann Granville, it was her first time as Cox. Her first outing proved to be a winner as her crew, the Care Givers, rowed to first place in the Squirt Girls race.
The Ladies championship race was won by the team of Roebothan McKay Marshall in a time of 5:04:50. Team members are Cox Gord Delaney and rowers Jennifer Carroll, Krista Carew, Beth Davis, Meghan Dalton, Kerri Ann Evelly and Alison Jones.
The Rogers Bussey Lawyers finished the day the way they started. They took the Mens championship for the second year in a row, and set a new course record with a time of 8:49:84.
With sun shining down, a large crowd gathered to watch the races and participate in the on-shore games of chance and other activities.
During the day, MHA Felix Collins presented the Placentia Regatta Committee with a cheque for $15,000, from the province’s tourism department. It was also noted during the opening ceremonies that the Placentia Rowing Club had a $15,000 contribution from the Town of Placentia this year to carry out some upgrades and ensure the regatta could take place this year.
Once the races were done, participants and spectators enjoyed music, free hot dogs and pop and the grand finale - a fireworks show.
Race results:
Senior Men Amateur Race - Rogers Bussey Lawyers - 8:58:83
Senior Men District Race - Canadian Force’s Men - 10:22:90
Senior Ladies Amateur Race - Roebothan McKay Marshall - 5:10:62
Senior Mens Club Race - Hynes Ready Mix - 10:37:91
Senior Ladies Commercial Race - Canadian Force’s Ladies - 5:47:22
Senior Ladies Memorial Race - Murray Premises/ RNC - 5:52:11
Senior Ladies Civil Service Race - Nautical Nellies - 6:06:75
Intermediate Female Race - The Seafood Shop - 6:02:81
Senior Ladies Race - Hanlon Realty Senior Ladies - 6:19:60
Senior Ladies St. John’s District Race - Normans Trim - 6:09:43
Senior Men Transport Race - Rogers Bussey Lawyers - 9:38:38
Intermediate Men’s Race - Waypoints Immediate Men - 12:22:50
Senior Mens Labour Race - Hynes Ready Mix - 11:05:81
Senior Ladies General Workers Race - Ziggy Peelgood - 6:25:47
Senior Ladies Placentia District Race - Home Elements - 6:33:28
Senior Ladies Mercantile Race - Magic Wok - 6:28:40
Junior Ladies Race - Vale - 6:06:32
Midget Boys Race - Waypoints Midget Boys - 6:06:32
Midget Boys Race - Marquise Heavy Equipment - 6:03:19
Midget Girls Race - Mammoet Canada - 6:30:28
Ladies Championship Race - Roebothan McKay Marshall - 5:04:50
Mens Championship Race - Rogers Bussey Lawyers - 8:49:84
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