Coxed by Michel Tréhorel the Jersey ladies crew of Emma tackle the choppy waters Pictures: PETER MOURANT (01005250)

A JERSEY team retained their title in the Sark to Jersey rowing race on Saturday, despite missing the start.

The first women’s team home were the Islands Insurance crew of Christine du Heaume, Helen Tyler, Alison Smithurst, Frankie Le Quélénec and Will Dodds (cox). Their win was all the more impressive as they mistimed the start of the race and were well back from the fleet when the start cannon went off.

In the men’s event, it was Guernsey who took the top three places, with last year’s runners-up, Geomarine, placing first and last year’s winners, FRM,  second.

The first Jersey boat, rowed by Paul Coutanche and James Salkeld, finished fourth overall in 2.1.35. Behind them, in seventh place were the first Jersey fours (sliding seat) boat home, Dominion, coxed by June Fosse in 2.7.18.

The race from Dixcart Bay in Sark to Bonne Nuit  saw over 50 boats competing in various categories.

• Full results and pictures in today’s Jersey Evening Post.

• More pictures will be posted here at www.thisisjersey.com tomorrow