Falmouth’s men triumphed in a long day of gig racing on Saturday due to Sunday's races being cancelled in advance because of the weather, writes David George.

The terrible forecast, with strong winds and rain for Sunday, meant the planned weekend of racing in Newquay harbour had to be squeezed into one long and exhausting day for the more than 500 rowers taking part in the annual Men’s Newquay County Championship.

The six crews in the final had already raced the two mile course three times during the day and then had to face a double length, two lap, final as the light was starting to fade.

It appeared to be no problem for Falmouth’s Men’s A crew, who pulled away from the start and stayed ahead throughout the gruelling slog off Newquay harbour. They finished a full 36 seconds ahead of second-across-the-line Looe, who were last year's winners.

Falmouth rower Jordan Smith said the crew's strategy was “just hammer it up the first leg and try to hold on to it”. Which is exactly what they did.

He added the crew had trained for the two lap final so were well prepared for the tough challenge.

The event hosted by Newquay rowing club started more than 50 years ago in 1970.

Gig clubs participating came from as far away as the Isles of Scilly, Bristol and Dorset.

Newquay harbour and the Fly Cellars area were lined with spectators in Saturday's good weather.

Nick George, from the CPGA, said: “This was a very tough test for the crews in the final who had to row ten miles by the end of the day. It shows the endurance of these crews who are the best in the sport."

Participating clubs were: Appledore, Barnstaple, Boscastle & Crackington, Bristol, Brixham, Bude, Cadgwith, Caradon, Cattewater, Charlestown, Clevedon, Cotehele, Coverack, Crantock, Dart, Devoran, Exmouth, Falmouth, Flushing & Mylor, Hayle, Ifracombe, Looe, Lyme Regis, Mevagissey, Mounts Bay, Newquay, Padstow, Porlock Weir, Porthleven, Portishead, RAF St Mawgan, Rame, River Fowey, River Teign, Rock, Rosalind, St Agnes, St Goran, St Ives, St Mary’s, Swanage, Tamar & Navy, Truro, Weymouth, Yealm.

These races are part of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association’s “Wave of Events”.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.