THE fourth race of the Harkers Yard Gig Winter Series was hosted by the Blackwater Rowers at Stone, with 14 boats signed up ready to race.

With Stone being sited along one of the widest points of the River Blackwater, it was a chance for the rowers to race against each other in a mass start rather than either two at a time or in individual time trials.

So the competitive spirit was all ready to be applied to get out ahead to the first turning buoy before the bulk of the other teams, as turning a gig with 13 foot oars around a buoy can be an awkward battle of blades.

Also, with north-easterly gusts of 33mph it was going to be a challenge to keep the gigs on a tight line around the course.

Maldon's Record Reign had a great day with the men's team doing all they had to and came first at 23 minutes nine seconds, a minute ahead of the next team.

The ladies' team came second in 26m 58s and the mixed team came in fourth in 25m 55s.

With the day's results it improved Maldon's overall standing in the series from fourth to third place.

Reaching more or less half way through, the rest of the Winter Series races are scheduled out for the fifth race at Brightlingsea on December 18, the sixth race at Burnham on January 15, the seventh race at Wivenhoe on January 29, the eighth race at Maldon on February 12 and the ninth race at Marconi on February 26.

Anyone interested in gig rowing can contact the website www.maldongigclub.org.uk and come along to one of their weekend open rowing sessions, which are listed on the website.