Islands 'epic and fun' for rowing championships
This weekend's World Pilot Gig Championships, held annually in the Isles of Scilly, is much more than a showcase for the sport.
It also provides a substantial boost to the local hospitality and tourism industries at the start of the summer season.
For Nick George, landlord of the Mermaid Inn beside St Mary's quay, the preparations include ordering extra supplies and making sure the drinks do not run out.
Mr George called the event "phenomenal" and said he ordered 120 kegs of beer and cider for the weekend - enough for more than 10,000 pints.
"I tend to over-order supplies because the next boat isn't until Tuesday," Mr George said.
"It's a bit of guesswork, but it's better to have more than run out."
He said the event contributes nearly 10% of the pub's annual turnover over a six-day period.
About 450 crews have been in the islands, 28 miles off Cornwall, taking part in the three-day event, with between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators.
The rowing is serious for many who have endured long winters of tireless training, and with highly coveted World Championship medals at stake.
Rowers compete in various categories over the weekend with the main men's and women's finals on Sunday afternoon - leading to a busy night in the island's pubs.
Mr George said: "The Mermaid on a Sunday night of gig weekend is unbelievable - Sunday night is epic.
"Carnage is more the word I'd use, but it's a good laugh with no trouble.
"It's my 11th or 12th year with the event, and I love it".
Euan Rodger, executive vice chair of Visit Isles of Scilly said the championships were a "wonderful economic boost and a spectacle to enjoy".
"Gig racing is worldwide now, with crews from America and Holland this year.
"The reach is wide, and many gig rowers go home talking about the wonderful week they had," he said.
This helps attract new visitors and puts the Isles of Scilly on the map.
"We're always looking for new visitors, and we hope this event plays its part in that," he said.
It also fosters a sense of community and celebration, making it a highlight of the year for both locals and visitors.
"It's an incredible weekend, and everyone unwinds," he said.
"It's pretty good, to be honest."
Sgt Al Jordan is the resident police officer for the islands and said it was a "fantastic" event.
To handle the influx of people he brings in more officers from the mainland "to ensure everything goes according to plan and everyone is safe and happy".
"We just like to say, be sensible," he said.
"We're out on the street all day and evening, ready to help if needed."
Isles of Scilly Chaplain Elizabeth Burke said the gig championships bring a "completely different atmosphere", to the islands where physical isolation from the mainland brings benefits but also problems, from loneliness to getting hospital treatment.
"It's really exciting," she said about the championships.
"There's a real buzz about it. It's important for the economy and for networking and coming together."
Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Rowers head to Scilly for World Gig Championships
Rowers head to 'blooming marvellous' championships
Gig rowers head to Scilly for world championships
World Pilot Gig Championships
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Destination Venice: 9 Romantic Wedding Venues in Italy's ‘Floating City'
There's just something about Venice that makes it feel like a place made for love. Maybe it's the quiet corners you stumble into by accident, or the way the light hits the water in late afternoon. It's no wonder celebrities like George and Amal Clooney and Anya Taylor-Joy chose to marry here—and now Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are reportedly next. The city is full of beautiful venues, from ornate palazzos to gardens that feel like secrets. We pulled together six of our favorites—each one special in its own way. Some are grand, some more low-key, but all of them have that unmistakable Venetian atmosphere that makes a wedding feel like a moment out of a grand and historic fairy tale. Aman Venice occupies Palazzo Papadopoli, one of the eight grand palazzos lining the Grand Canal, combining Rococo frescoes and Murano crystal chandeliers with Jean-Michel Gathy's refined minimalist interiors. It's the only hotel in Venice to feature two private canal-side gardens—the Canal Garden and the Pergola Garden—which serve as rare outdoor ceremony or reception spaces. The historic double piano nobile houses grand event rooms, including a luminous ballroom, salon, library, and multiple dining spaces, each retaining frescoed ceilings and elegant period details ideal for both intimate and larger wedding celebrations. With just 24 suites, direct Grand Canal access, and fully tailored celebration services, it offers luxury couples a rare blend of exclusivity, heritage, and discreet Aman hospitality—all steps from Piazza San Marco Hotel Locanda Vivaldi is housed in the historic home of composer Antonio Vivaldi, rebuilt into a boutique hotel perched on the Riva degli Schiavoni with views across St. Mark's Basin—just steps from Piazza San Marco. Its panoramic rooftop terrace offers sweeping vistas of iconic landmarks like San Giorgio, the bell tower, and the lagoon, making it a stunning setting for a sunset reception. The hotel organizes full wedding packages, from ceremony coordination to vintage boat transfers and traditional Venetian catering. With fewer than 30 rooms—including suites with private balconies and lagoon views—it's well-suited to couples seeking an intimate celebration framed by genuine Venetian history. Hotel Palazzo Stern is a 15th-century, neo-Gothic palazzo turned boutique hotel, standing directly on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro with a terrace offering sweeping canal views. Its intimate, art-filled interiors—complete with frescoes, mosaics, carved wood, and antique mosaics—create a refined, historical atmosphere perfect for an elegant small wedding. The rooftop terrace can host welcome drinks or a reception against the backdrop of Venice's waterways, while on-site event planning includes vintage boat transfers and customized menus. With under 70 rooms, valet parking, and concierge-arranged logistics via water taxi, it strikes a balance between relaxed exclusivity and Venetian grandeur. The Gritti Palace is a 15th-century noble residence turned luxury hotel, set directly on the Grand Canal across from Santa Maria della Salute. Its richly decorated interiors feature antique Murano glass chandeliers, original frescoes, and period furnishings, creating an opulent backdrop for wedding celebrations. The Redentore Terrace and canal-side Gritti Terrace offer panoramic views ideal for elegant outdoor receptions or sunset toasts. With in-house floral and culinary teams, a private Riva boat for arrivals, and just 82 rooms, the hotel specializes in intimate events with unmistakable Venetian character. Couples can host ceremonies in the ornate Longhi Room or reserve the Club del Doge restaurant for a formal seated dinner. Located just minutes from St. Mark's Square, the property also offers easy access to Venice's most iconic photo backdrops. Palazzo Nani Bernardo is a private 16th-century Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal, blending historical grandeur with an intimate, residential feel. Its second piano nobile features a long hall and five side salons, ideal for refined indoor ceremonies and seated dinners. The crowning jewel is its hidden Italian-style garden—one of the largest in Venice—complete with climbing roses, jasmine, century-old trees, and the city's tallest palm, providing a lush outdoor backdrop for cocktails, vows, or sunset gatherings. Fully accessible by water, the venue includes its own dock and two private guest apartments, enabling exclusive multi-day celebrations. The palace remains family-owned and is rarely open to the public, making it one of Venice's most discreet and coveted wedding venues. Ca' Sagredo is a beautifully restored 15th-century palace turned boutique hotel, adorned with opulent Baroque art and grand frescoed ceilings overlooking the Grand Canal. Its elegant reception rooms—such as the Sala Maggiore and Sala del Camino—are ideal for intimate ceremonies or refined seated dinners, each set within original gilt frames and marble fireplaces. The rooftop terrace offers a romantic cocktail setting with sweeping canal views, perfect for sunset toasts or small receptions. With just 42 rooms and suites, many featuring painted ceilings and period furnishings, the atmosphere feels like hosting your own private Venetian celebration. Couples can arrive by private boat at the hotel's water entrance before retreating to discreet event planning services and chef-crafted Venetian tasting menus. Palazzo Zeno is a rare gem nestled in Venice's Dorsoduro district—a 14th-century residence thoughtfully transformed into an intimate boutique hotel. Its courtyard and charming rooftop terrace offer private outdoor ceremony settings with views of hidden canals and historic rooftops. The interior salons, with antique furnishings, exposed timber beams, and family heirlooms, create a warm, lived-in atmosphere ideal for small wedding gatherings. Couples can coordinate water-taxi arrivals directly at the front entrance and enjoy personalized service in a venue that feels like a well-loved Venetian family home. The St. Regis Venice is a lavish waterfront palace hotel set on the Grand Canal, offering sweeping views and a sense of aristocratic splendor. Its Meravigli Ballroom and dramatic canal-facing grand salon feature bold frescoes, Murano glass chandeliers, and gilded décor—perfect for elegant indoor ceremonies with a dash of Venetian flair. The hotel's spacious private terraces allow for al-fresco receptions or sunset aperitifs with guests floating by on the water. With over 110 rooms and suites blending classic Venetian styling with modern amenities, it accommodates both grand weddings and intimate gatherings. Full wedding planning support, including customized catering, floral design, and dedicated water-taxi logistics, ensures a seamless, romantic celebration from arrival to sparkler send-off. From canal-side gardens and rooftop terraces to frescoed ballrooms and centuries-old courtyards, Venice offers a wide range of memorable wedding settings. Each venue brings something unique, whether it's a private dock, panoramic Grand Canal views, or layers of history visible in every detail. Many properties include in-house planning, vintage boat transfers, and accommodations that make it easy for couples and their guests to settle in and celebrate without needing to look elsewhere. Whether you're drawn to a boutique palazzo, a storied luxury hotel, or a hidden garden retreat, Venice delivers a wedding experience rooted in character, beauty, and ease.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Manitoba Moose Goaltender Chris Driedger Signs One-Year Deal With KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk
Manitoba Moose goaltender Chris Driedger has signed a one-year contract with the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk, the team announced. Driedger had a record of 11-9-6, a .875 SP, and 3.13 GAA in 20 appearances with the Charlotte Checkers and five appearances with the Manitoba Moose this season. He was dealt to Manitoba at the NHL's trade deadline in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen. Advertisement In 217 career AHL appearances over 10 season Driedger had a record of 106-78-19 with a .910 SP and 2.74 GAA. A third round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2012, Driedger has a 31-24-5 record, .917 SP, and 2.45 GAA in 67 career NHL appearances with the Senators, Florida Panthers, and Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old backstopped the Coachella Valley Firebirds to the 2024 Calder Cup Finals, was an AHL All-Star in 2019-20, and led the league in save percentage (.924) in 2018-19. He appeared in six games and won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship. Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Photo Credit: © Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
How under-the-radar free agent signing could help one 49ers superstar get even better
How under-the-radar free agent signing could help one 49ers superstar get even better At some point San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will come down to Earth and stop putting up All-Pro numbers. However, an uptick in production could be coming for the five-time All-Pro thanks to one of the team's free agent acquisitions. There wasn't much fanfare when the 49ers signed tight end Luke Farrell to a three-year contract worth up to $15,750,00 this offseason. Farrell, 27, has four NFL seasons under his belt with only 36 catches for 318 yards and no touchdowns in 66 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's not his receiving production that caught the 49ers' eye, though. General manager John Lynch told Matt Maiocco on the 49ers Talk podcast how Farrell could open the door for Kittle to actually put up better numbers in his ninth NFL season. "Farrell is just really a great fit for what we do offensively," Lynch said. "George, obviously such a tremendous player, and George can do so much. He's such a good blocker I think at times you get to the point when teams are pressuring and whatnot, you almost have to keep George in at times to protect. And we'd really like to have George out. He's so good with the ball in his hands. We'd like a balance of all of it, but you need someone like Luke to be able to do that, and Luke was available. "We studied him hard, had a great appreciation for how he did things, the way he did things. It felt like it was just a perfect fit for what we do, and a great compliment to George. Something that will allow George to get out in the pass game a little more in certain situations." Last season Kittle stayed in for 58 pass blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus. That accounted for 11.6 percent of his snaps on pass plays -- his highest percentage since 2021 -- and the fourth-highest rate of his career. In 2023 he was at 7.0 percent. The year before that he was at 7.6 percent. With a lower pass-blocking rate, Kittle should be able to add to his already heavy target load which may be a necessity for the 49ers and their uncertain wide receiver situation. Last season Kittle led the team with 1,106 receiving yards, 78 catches and eight touchdowns. Going into his age 31 season, there's a chance for an ascension from the recently-extended All-Pro. If Farrell can help Kittle extend his prime into his mid-30s, he could become one of the 49ers' most important moves of the 2025 offseason. More 49ers: NFL writer says 49ers star is on one of the worst contracts in the league
