PORTLAND Gig Rowing Club (PGRC) fielded two strong teams at the annual Three Rivers Race.

Held at Saltash, it was the first major event of the 2016 rowing calendar. The PGRC teams were competing on their Cornish Pilot gig boat, Pulpit Rock.

The race is spread across five miles and takes in the three rivers, Lynher, Tamar and Tavy.

There was a strong northerly wind and the incoming tide made the water rough for the ladies who were competing first.

The team persisted through the waves to achieve a time of 64 minutes and 34 seconds. On the overall results, this placed them in 31st position from a total of nearly 70 crews.

The men’s team were up next to battle the conditions.

The crew completed the race in 54 minutes and four seconds and finished 29th out of more than 60 crews.

On the combined results, the club was placed in 25th, a strong finish to the first competition of the year for the Portland rowers.

The next major event PGRC will compete in will be the World Pilot Gig Championships to be held on the Isles of Scilly from Friday, April 29 to Monday, May 2.