Tag: “Jimmy T”

Jimmy T writes in-

The weekend began for the International Dory rowers on Friday night, the
11th of September, when the City of Lunenburg hosted a reception in the
“Bluenose Room” of the Lunenburg Fisherman’s Museum. It is a grand
location, loaded with artifacts from the grandest of all fishing
schooners. There was a slideshow of the great Fisherman’s Picnic years,
and refreshments and hospitality were served graciously.

It was crisp and gorgeous the next morning when the first International
Dory racers approached the starting line. Lovely ladies lined the
wharves: the “Picton Castle”, the USCG “Grand Isle” and of course the
majestic “Bluenose II” to name a few. The dock was crowded with rowing
enthusiasts from miles around, come to route for their favorite rowers.
First up were American Juniors Randy Parisi and LJ Robertson, making
their first trip to Nova Scotia to take on the defending International
Junior Champions Connor Swim and Holden Nickerson. Strong currents
pulled the older Canadian crew of course on the way out to the halfway
point turning flags opening up a window of opportunity for the American
youngsters. It was a close race coming to the finish line but the U.S.
team had a little course trouble of their own and the Canadian crew from
Clarks Harbour won again, in a time of 5:29. The American Juniors were 5:32.
In the Mixed Doubles, American newcomers Jeff and Jen Muise made an
impressive showing, but proved to be no match for the team of Nicole
Jones and Rob Hurlburt, creator of the increasingly popular “Hurlburt
Seat”. The Canadian pair held off a late push and won in a time of 5:44,
defeating the U.S. team by 6 seconds.
In the Men’s Master’s Division, it was time for the Americans to have
the experience and the victory. Rowing legends John Morris and Ed
Parnell came out of retirement and put on a show of rowing efficiency.
The wind was coming up and Angus Atkins and John Penny, from Clarks
Harbour were game and gave 110%, but in the end the coursemanship and
skill of the Gloucestermen gave the Americans a win in a time of 5:45,
versus 6:01 for the Canadians.
The Women’s Division had no representatives from the U.S. so the strong
women’s crew of Kris Ann Keizer and Kelly George decided they’d take on
the powerhouse tandem, and multiple International Women’s Champs,
Natalie and Nicole Jones. Both crews rowed well, but no one was
surprised when the Clarks Harbour ladies crossed the finish line first,
in 5:56. Kris Ann and Kelly finished in a respectable 5:59.
In the Open Class, the reigning International Dory Champions Tom Jarvis
and Jim Tarantino, representing the United States, defended their title
against the pride of Prince Edward Island, past Masters Champs Tim Mair
and Kenny McDonald. Both crews struggled with their courses against the
currents but the Americans were able to get the victory in 9:52.

The highlight of the day was the friendship and comraderie shared at the
Awards Ceremony (and in the Beer Tent) after the races.

The Gloucester International Dory Committee wishes to express their
deepest thanks to the Canadian Dory Committee, the City of Lunenburg,
the Queen of Hearts Dory Club, the Dory Shop, the crews of the
aforementioned “Lovely Ladies”  and everyone from PEI to the Hawk who
helped make this event so very special for us all!

Jimmy T In Lunenburg, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Photo courtesy Frank Ciolino

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!