ROWHEDGE-based team Aquiline celebrated their first win of the season in round seven of the Harkers Yard Gigs Winter Series, at Burnham-on Crouch Rowing Club.

They enjoyed a strong win in the men’s race after finishing in a time of 22.34, in the first race meeting of 2018.

Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club’s Vanduara finished in second (23.17), narrowly beating Burnham’s Willow Men’s team, who finished in 23.20. Maldon Gig Rowing Club’s Record Reign finished fourth, while Mersea’s Mehalah were fifth.

While the winds held off for most of the racing, rain, sleet and snow made conditions tricky for the 14 race crews who turned out.

The wide channel on the River Crouch meant that there was a mass-start for each of the races, over the two-mile course.

The ladies’ race was won by Vanduara in 25.44, helping the Brightlingsea crew move back to overall top spot.

Home team Burnham Ladies put in an excellent finish to take second in 26.03, just one second ahead of Wivenhoe Corsairs Ladies team in Defiance (26.04).

Maldon’s Record Reign and Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club’s Aquiline rounded off the top five, respectively.

Competitively, the gap continues to close, with fewer than four minutes separating the top-ten finishers.

In the final race of the day, the wind and tide began to make rowing harder and teams battled in out in a tough race.

Mersea Island RC’s Mehalah once again led the way, winning in 25.56.

Maldon boat Record Reign had their best result of the day with second in 28.05, while Rowhedge’s Aquiline had their second podium finish in third (28.14).

Hosts Burnham-on-Crouch RC finished their day in style with both boats finishing in the top five - Wren was fourth and Willow ended up fifth.

Maldon Gig RC will host the penultimate race of the season, on February 4.

Full details of this week’s racing and overall points can be seen at Harker’s Yard Gigs facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/harkersyardrowers/