The two main events in the gig racing calendar are the world championships in the Isles of Scilly in May and the county championships, which take place in Newquay in September.

Two crews of Dart ladies travelled to Newquay last weekend to race in the county championships, eager to improve their finishing positions from last year, where the A crew finished 48th and the B crew 62nd.

The event in 2011 was plagued by winds, rain and rough seas, but this year after a foggy start the weather was gloriously sunny and the waters relatively calm.

Over 90 crews from the South West and also the Isles of Scilly made the journey and the first round comprised 16 heats of six crews.

The Cornish Pilot Gig Association asks clubs who have similar aged boats to loan them for this event to make it more of a level playing field.

However, this year there were a mixture of old heavy boats, including Dart's own racing gig Lightning, which is 13 years old, as well as lighter gigs less than half her age.

Dart B took to the water in the second heat, racing in Verbena against the stiff opposition of Fowey A, Tamar and Tavy A, Flushing and Mylor A, Lyme Regis B and Mounts Bay D and finished fourth in an excellent time of 19.29.

Dart A were in the next heat in Salcombe's oldest gig Wolf competing against Porthleven A, Devoran A, Torridge A, Roseland B, and Newquay C and came through in fifth position in 19.35.

The first two winners in each heat automatically go through to round two, along with the 16 fastest losers. Both crews were delighted that their times were quick enough to make it through to round two.

Six hours after their first race, Dart B took the water for the second time in Teign Spirit, loaned by Teignmouth and came through in 20.02. Dart A were in the fourth heat in Pinnacle, loaned by Flushing and Mylor.

Determined not to be outdone by their B crew for a second time, the As were much more focused and finished in 19.29 in 36th place overall and the Bs in 43nd place.

Although neither crew made it through to the quarter-finals, they both improved their position considerably over last year.

Dart B: Mary Eames, Karen Gardner, Paula Hine, Wendy Jones, Carol Squire, Maggie Russell, coxed by Ted from Newquay, who kindly interrupted his boat marshalling duties to assist Dart.

Dart A: Peta Chivers, Clare Thorp, Maggie Trubshaw, Jo Haydn, Ella Chivers, Chloe Gardner, coxed by Paul Kunert.

The official racing season has now come to a close with Dart attending 13 events since March.

Two friendly events remain: the Devon Cup, hosted by Salcombe, on October 13, and Dart's own lay-up race, in memory of Lyzie Pyne, on October 2.

At this event fond farewells will be paid to Volante, Dart's first gig, who is leaving the club.