Blandin and Ramsden off to winning start

Tuesday 20th May 2008, 2:59PM BST.

THE rowing season got under way last night with the first race of the Gin-D series being held in St Aubin’s Bay.

Conditions were tough with strong North-East winds and a messy chop, especially in the south of the bay and it was experience that won the day with the men’s pair of Ian Blandin and James Ramsden crossing the line first.

They were just seconds ahead of John Searson’s men’s fours crew in their new sliding seat boat while the first ladies’ boat home was Frankie Le Quelenec’s Island Insurance boat.

Many crews were trying out new boats or team line-ups for the first time and this put them to the test. Some of the novice crews were given a shorter course that avoided the worst of the conditions and fifteen boats lined up for the start but only 13 finished.

John Searson’s fours boat in action last night Picture: ROLY DU HEAUME

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