Rowers from the Vashon Island Junior Rowing Club won almost every race they competed in at the Tri-Island Regatta on Bainbridge Island last Sunday. The club competed against clubs from Bainbridge and Orcas islands, and approximately 140 rowers participated in the event.

It rained throughout much of the day Sunday, and the waves became so large that the course had to be shortened by 500 meters for the last three races, but Vashon rowers had high spirits because of their great results. Vashon won 11 of the 14 races they competed in, finished second twice and third once.

One of the most notable races of the day was the women’s varsity eight. The rowers hadn’t rowed an eight since November, and they won the race.

The men’s varsity four, after a slow start, was able to catch the pack while everyone was sprinting.

In the men’s novice eight, coxed by Olivia Sayvetz, were three new rowers from Bainbridge that the Vashon club borrowed to add to its five novice rowers. Despite having never rowed an eight, the novices had a very big lead and pulled out a solid win.

Coach Steve Full was pleased with the team’s performance at first meet of the year.

“We have worked hard on training, and it really started to show through with our first race of the season. It’s always nice to win, but what I was really pleased about was our base speed, and our ability to compete in boats, (sweep) that we have not really trained in,” he said.

Full commented that the team is young this season, but talented. He is already looking to gain speed for a strong finish at the US Rowing Regionals in Vancouver this May.

Vashon Island Junior Rowing Club’s next race is Saturday, March 19, on Green Lake in Seattle, where they will compete with rowing clubs from all over the Northwest.

— Janet Williams is the publicity chair for the Vashon Island Rowing Club.