A team who started the gig-racing year by demonstrating their will to win rounded off the season by showing they had lost none of their resolve.

Falmouth A rocketed across the finishing line of the Newquay Ladies Championship at the weekend and managed to put more than ten lengths between themselves and their nearest rivals.

But despite the impressive result the contest was still a fiercely fought affair.

John Cuthill, chairman of Newquay Rowing Club, which stages the event, said the ladies championship, now in its 33rd year, just kept getting better and better.

"There was an electric atmosphere for what was a lively and exciting competition.

"The rowers are as fit as professional athletes. You can't produce performances like they did unless you give a lot to the cause.

"Falmouth Ladies steamed out in front after leading from the start. But it was a very exciting final.

"There were lots of boats following the action and we had hundreds of people round the harbour watching."

This year, there were 93 entries to the championship which was held over a day and a half and launched from Newquay's old harbour.

Falmouth had started the season with a win at the World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly in May.

While the gathering on Scilly kicks off the season, Newquay is the last big meeting before the winter lay-off.

In second place after Falmouth were Charlestown A, Caradon A third, with the remaining three finalists being Mounts Bay A, Roseland A and Newquay A respectively.

The popular Dutch team KNZ & RV who had pulled in a an impressive third place on the Scilly Isles managed to come in seventh place.

Guest of honour at the championships – and back by popular demand – was Commodore Jamie Miller, the Royal Navy regional officer for Wales and Western England, who presented the women rowers with their medals.

"Jamie gave a rousing address and kept everyone entertained," said Mr Cuthill.

"He is so popular that every year all the ladies say we have to have him back the following year."

The weekend also witnessed the junior championships at Newquay with 25 of the best upcoming teams in gig rowing battling for supremacy.

The teams, with crews all under 16, initially row a shorter course than the ladies, but for the final take on the full one and three-quarter mile triangular course.

Mr Cuthill said they performed brilliantly.

"The juniors improve year on year," he said.

Cadgwith lifted the trophy, rounding off a highly successful year of wins. In second place was Devoran A and third over the finishing line was Helford A.

The fourth, fifth and sixth places were taken by Looe A, Coverack A and Rock.

Cornwall Heritage Trust, which sponsors the junior event, this year gave prizes to all the rowers who made it to the final.

Mr Cuthill paid tribute to the juniors.

He said: "They are the future of the sport and it's fantastic to see so much talent."

Results

Newquay Ladies Championships:

1 Falmouth A, 2 Charlestown A, 3 Caradon A.

Newquay Junior Championships:

1 Cadgwith, 2 Devoran A, 3 Helford A.

On Sunday, September 12, St Ives Gig Club will be holding their annual regatta, launching from Carbis Bay beach.

The following weekend will see the final races of the season when Newquay hosts the Men's Championships. For details visit the following websites: www.thisisdevon.co.uk and www.thisiscornwall.co.uk.