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20 Years supporting Gig Championship
28
Apr
2009
20th Year of support for Gig Championships
For the 20th year the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (IoSSC) is once again sponsoring and supporting the World Pilot Gig Championships which are taking place on the Isles of Scilly from Friday, May 1 until Monday, May 4 2009.
More than 100 gigs are expected to be transported to the islands onboard the freight vessel the Gry Maritha and the passenger ship Scillonian III in time for the start of the event.
After this year�s 20th anniversary event the IoSSC will have transported more than 1,000 gigs to and from the Islands to take part in this now world famous event.
Starting with just a few gigs in the first few years to now more than 100 regularly taking part, the event has gone from strength to strength and is now attracting competitors from across the UK and abroad.
Andrew May, Chairman of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group said: �This year marks a remarkable milestone � the 20th anniversary of these Championships.
�The Steamship Group is proud to have played its part in the successful evolution of this event and this year will be ferrying more than 100 gigs between Penzance and the Islands, bringing the 20 year total to over 1,000 gigs.�
Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company added: �We are always delighted to be involved in this remarkable event and have supported it since its inception.�
As always, the schedule for the weekend is jam packed with competitions across many different classes. Raising the curtain to the weekend of races will be the Ladies Veterans race at 18:30 on Friday 1st May from St. Agnes to St. Mary's Quay followed by the Men�s Veterans at 20:00.
The competition gets in to full swing on Saturday and Sunday with the Men�s and Ladies rounds getting underway ahead of the much anticipated finals on Sunday.
After three hard days of fierce competition all of the gig crews will come together on Sunday evening for the presentation of trophies and the eagerly awaited barbecue.
The Championships are organised by a dedicated committee who volunteer their time to planning, organising and promoting this epic event year on year. It is their efforts that have enabled the World Pilot Gig Championships to grow to become such a high profile event over the past 20 years.
The support of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company has also been vital. Without their assistance in transporting gigs from the mainland it would never have been possible for more than 1,000 gig clubs to take part over the years.
Alongside the transportation of gigs the IoSSC also offer special fares on Scillonian III and Skybus for the event, making it even more accessible.
Andrew added: �Over the years we have seen increasing numbers of crews, friends, families and supporters travelling to the Islands for the event. The annual gatherings help to make the Championships what they are � an outstanding weekend of competition, friendship and of course rowing. Long may it continue.�
He concluded �It is of course the crews, their families, friends and supporters who are the heart of this splendid weekend.
�On behalf of all of us at the Steamship Group I wish you all a successful and enjoyable three days of competition, camaraderie and friendship.�
Ends
28 April 2009
For more information contact:
Shelley Fletcher
Deborah Clark Associates
01208 77900 / 07796 175634
[email protected]
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