Porthleven Gig Clubs - "Across the Bay" Race

St. Michaels Mount was the starting line for the annual dash across the bay.    This is a race which is the ultimate test to prove the stamina and determination of a Mixed crew.   Eight miles from the Mount to Porthleven, a race which is normally completed in just over an hour.

Thirteen mixed crews lined up ready for the off at this year's event, all racing for the Kenneth Mathews Memorial Cup.   This was the first time that the trophy had been competed for.  

Kenneth was a stalwart of the Club.   Both he and his wife Barbara have always supported the Porthleven Gig Club from the very first.   Kenneth's mother was the sister to the Richards brothers, who were all lost in the "Energetic", and Barbara was the Club's first Secretary.   Each year Kenneth made sure that his marquee was erected on the Harbour Head for Gig Day, and generally took command of the barbecue, issuing instructions to all and sundry.

On the evening when the "Across the Bay" race was run in 2007, Kenneth and Barbara had just returned from Devoran, after erecting Kenneth's marquee ready for Ralph Bird's birthday celebrations.   Kenneth went into the house and sat in his armchair, Barbara went out onto the patio to see if the gigs were in sight.

Sure enough, they could be seen just off Rinsey, when Kenneth called out and asked Barbara to pour him a whiskey.    Having attended to that task, Barbara went outside once again to watch the progress of the race, and called out to Kenneth to come out and have a look; otherwise he was going to miss them.   There was no reply.   It was at that moment that Kenneth passed away.

So, this year's race was rather special, and all subsequent "Across the Bay" races will always remind us of a man who had Porthleven at his heart, a keen supporter of the Porthleven Gig Club from the very start, and will always be remembered for his sense of humour and involvement with all things local.

This year's race was keenly contested, with some crews taking part for the first time.   The result and timings for the various crews was as follows:

   

"Kensa" - Mounts Bay                  Time :     1 hour

"Melusine" - Zennor                     Time  1 hour. 01

"Taran" - Mounts Bay                  Time :1 hour. 02

"Penarrow" - Flushing/Mylor           Time :1 hour. 03.30

"St. Elvan" - Porthleven                   Time :1 hour. 04

Barbara Mathews presents the Kenneth Mathews Memorial Cup to the Mounts Bay crew.   Barbara is a Marazion girl, so wasn't too upset that Porthleven hadn't emerged victorious.

"Defiance" - St. Ives                       Time :  1 hour.05

"Senara" - Zennor                           Time :  1 hour.05.30

"Energetic" - Porthleven                  Time :  1 hour.06

"Avarak" - Pendeen                        Time : 1 hour.06.30

"Daedalus" - RNAS Culdrose         Time :      1 hour.07

 

"Brisons" - Cape Cornwall              Time :       1 hour.09

"Morvoron" - Zennor                      Time :       1 hour.10.30

"Cape Cornwall" - Cape Cornwall   Time :      1 hour.11.30