The trip to Lunenburg was a smashing success. Although we didn’t have as many wins in the Dory races as we would have liked, the bonds between our nations were strengthened like never before. We all can be tremendously proud of all the rowers and their families and friends as we spread peace and goodwill at every shop, restaurant and imbibing establishment we visited, and there were many visits to the latter.
Friday night the Town of Lunenburg welcomed us with a reception in the rarely seen “Bluenose Room” of the Fisherman’s Museum! The Gloucester folk mixed and met with many of the fine citizens and dignitaries of that beautiful port.
The races Saturday morning began with Katherine Richmond and Samantha Rose going up against “the pride of Clarke’s Harbor”, Nicole and Natalie Jones, in the Women’s Division. The U.S. girls rowed great, staying with the Canadians until the turn, but that’s when the experience of the Jones girls kicked in. They whipped around the flag and never looked back winning in a time of 6:02 compared to the 6:17 put up by Samantha and Katherine.
In the Junior race, Americans Joe Ciolino and Kyle Edmonds really had their work cut out for them, racing against Canadians Connor Swim and Holden Nickerson, who were twice their size! For a while it looked like the Americans might shock the world, as the hung with the big boys for most of the way to the pin. But the stronger crew began to pull away coming home and eventually won in a time of 6:07. Kyle and Joe finished with a respectable 6:26.
Next came the Master’s, and what a race it was! Defending Champs Mark Duval and Joe Sanfilippo once again faced their constant rivals Kenny MacDonald and Tim Mair, from Prince Edward Island. Tired of losing the last couple of races, the Canadian pair changed their stroke and prepared hard for the battle, and it WAS a war, with the lead going back and forth several times throughout the race! The throngs of spectators on the wharfs were going wild as both crews approached the finish line and no one could tell who was ahead! With nothing left in either tank, both dories still seemed to make a surge for the finish line and a photo finish. When the gun went off the Canadians had won the day, in a remarkable time of 5:39:31! Mark and Joe finished in 5:39:53! Just 22/100ths of a second behind. 15 beers later in the beer tent, the Americans called for a protest, then rescinded the protest after just one more beer!
Now it was Canadians 3, Americans 0, when the Mixed Doubles got in the boats, putting tremendous pressure on American Katherine Richmond, who was stuck with loud-mouthed Jim Tarantino for a partner. Tarantino was going around the Lunenburg waterfront for days, proclaiming himself “the greatest Dory Rower in the World Today”!!! The pressure was magnified by the fact they had to face Champions Natalie Jones and Tim Mair, who rowed like warriors! The U.S. team jumped out to an early lead and got about a boat and a half lead going into the turn. Mair and Jones made an excellent turn and closed the gap to less than a boat for most of the trip home! Fortunately for the Americans, Katherine responded superbly to the beggings and pleadings of her partner on the way home, and put on a push at the end of the race to give the U.S. it’s first win of the day, in 5:51.
The main event featured Americans Jerry Ciaramitaro and new-comer Mike Lovasco against savy veterans Danny Moody and Walter Nickerson from Lockeport, Nova Scotia. The Americans used their incredible strength to grab the early lead and seemed to be in control until about 3/4 of the way to the flags. Then they nearly collided with a channel buoy and lost valuable time. Canadians Nickerson and Moody seized the opportunity and got in and out of the turn as smooth as silk, taking a 2 boat lead. The strong Americans made a valiant effort on the way home, but a better course by Moody assured the victory for Canada, in a time of 10:34 versus the Americans 10:42.
The drizzly conditions and tough losses could not dampen the spirit of the American rowers, who continued to spread good cheer all over town, embracing the hearts and minds of the locals (and several traveling ambassadors) until the wee hours of the morning! On Sunday, a few of us were privileged to experience the finest hospitality Clarke’s Harbor has to offer, with a tour hosted by the families of Natalie and Nicole Jones, and the best Seafood platter in Nova Scotia!
Special thanks to all our hosts and new friends, which are too numerous to mention!
Good Morning Gloucester 