World Pilot Gig Championship 2021 cancelled
Regrettably, the World Pilot Gig Championship (WPGC) Committee announced the sad news that WPGC2021 was cancelled due to the uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic.
The WPGC Committee released the following statement
Our cautious optimism of a month ago has evaporated in the light of the current deteriorating situation with regard to Covid-19. There is nothing on the horizon which gives us reasonable confidence that the championships can go ahead next year.
Therefore, it is with great regret that we have decided to cancel WPGC2021. We have chosen to announce this now rather than leave a decision until the end of the year (as originally planned) because many competitors and spectators are about to make a financial commitment to secure accommodation and travel arrangements (if they haven’t already done so).
This has not been an easy decision. We love the Champs. It is wonderful to see the crews from all over the country and abroad having a great time and we know that you love coming here. To miss one year is bad enough. To miss two… well, we will stay positive and plan to pick up the pieces when we can. We wish you health and happiness and hope to see you again one day.
Naturally, the members of the RMA Gig Club were disappointed to hear this news. The Club’s dream of taking part in the WPGC2021 having recently moved a step closer to reality through the acquisition of their new wooden gig boat ‘Cockleshell’. On a personal level, the vast majority of its members have never participated in the experience and thrill of a WPGC event at the Isles of Scilly and their dreams will have to wait another year.
As the Club Coach and Men’s Captain, Bob Bryant, commented
I cannot say that I’m surprised.
We all love rowing so this announcement really changes nothing for us. We are not a pure WPGC racing club like some.
We carry on training and enjoying our rowing. There are plenty of other things & events that we can take part in.
Remember the ol’ Commando spirit “smile in the face adversity”
