David Troy’s new sliding quad boat Just Do It. Picture by Tracy Mourant

THE up-and-coming men’s double pairing of Paul Coutanche and James Salkeld powered to victory in the Town to Beauport rowing race on Sunday.

They were first over the line in a time of 1.13.06 in the Jersey Rowing Club evening handicap race despite starting late.

After making the sharp turn around the rock at Beauport, the men’s pair had to chase the Islands Insurance ladies’ quad, which was the first crew to reach the bay and won their class in a time of 1.21.00.

Further down the field, and at the older end of the age range, David Troy’s crew put in a determined performance in their first race in the new sliding quad boat, Just Do It, finishing fourth in their class.

Having tackled the Sark race in a fixed seat boat last year, this crew – which includes veteran twin brothers Adrian and Chris Willis who took part in the first Sark race in 1967 – are training hard for the Jersey Post Sark to Jersey on 4 July.

Also in the men’s quad class, the Brewin Dolphin crew, who finished top of the class, were racing with new cox June Fosse, and were led by Kerry Blandin who has been coaxed out of retirement to take the stroke seat with a view to entering the veterans’ class in the World Championships in Plymouth in October.

The race was also the first time for Clive Russell and Giles Adu, who finished second in the men’s doubles class, and were one of the crews which encountered rougher waters around Noirmont on the return leg.