A mixed Cantabrigian Rowing Club crew travelled to Ponza, Italy, to compete in the inaugural Giro Ponza on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
At the invitation of Mayor Piero Vigorelli and race organiser Ferdinand Femiano, the crew enjoyed the generous hospitality of Ponza, a loaned boat and kind support from the Rowing Club Aniene of Rome, and some amazing weather for the race. Also supporting the crew were Chris and Debbie Lloyd, founders of the Free Press (now X-Press) Rowing Club, who have many years experience rowing in events throughout Europe.
The Giro Ponza saw 16 crews and more than 200 rowers and kayakers complete a 7 mile course that took them from the port at Ponza, out and around the small nearby island of Gavi, followed by a return row back to the port. The row on the Mediterranean Sea was a first experience of sea rowing for the Cantabs crew of Darcy Weaver, Jane Gilbert, Kelly Bolen, Christopher Russo, Anne McConville, Sue Lacey, Elena Provenzano, Sara Russo and coxswain Tracey Allison.
In a show of support, one of the yachts supporting the race played ‘Goldfinger’ at the start of the race for their new friends visiting from England – which brought a round of laughter from the crew.
The calm seas made for a solid row, with only a couple of waves crashing over the bow of the boat. As the only crew made up mainly of women, the Cantabs crew did well to finish 5th out of 7 coxed eights.
Their exploits were reported in the Cambridge News and a regional Italian news site, and photos are available on the Cantabs Facebook page.
