The International Dory Races made its annual return to Gloucester Harbor on Saturday, where, as is tradition, the top tandems from Gloucester took on worthy competitors from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
With a total of five contested races, plus an over 50 women’s exhibition heat, the local crews wound up securing a 3-2 victory.
Including the women’s exhibition race that kicked things off, it was an even split overall, with the local crews coming out on top in three races (Juniors, Master’s (over 50 men’s) & Men’s 1-Mile), and Canada teams matching them with a trio of triumphs as well (Over 50 Women’s Exhibition, Mixed Doubles & Women’s). With all competitors battling wet and foggy conditions, it made for some tightly contested, entertaining finishes.
Beginning with the Juniors division, the local crew of Kaden and AJ Lewis finished in 6:29 to top Canada’s Parker Spindler and Ryan Hirtle (6:37). Mixed Doubles went to Nova Scotia’s Lisa Tanner and Robert Fox (time of 6:27) over Jimmy Tarantino and Sarah LeWine (6:42).
In the Women’s race, Canada’s Allie Flower and Kath Moore (6:27) earned another win for their homeland over Ashley Smith and Rachel Cecilio (6:51).
Rounding out the victors was Gloucester’s Joe Sanfillipo and Erik Dombrowski (6:16), who topped Canada’s Elvis Pye and Dave Croft (6:27) in the Master’s Division (Men’s over 50), as well as Gloucester’s Sam and Peter Taormina (11:06), who beat Simon Bush and Jason Mossman (11:42) of Canada in the 1-mile race.
Canada’s duo of Lisa Booth and Missy Romkey (7:03) outlasted Gloucester’s Linda Geary and Elin Af Klinteberg (7:29) in the Over 50 Women’s Exhibition.
The International Dory Races will return in August with the Gloucester rowers heading to Lunenburg.