RAIN failed to deter gig crews from competing in Saltash Regatta on Saturday and opening the event. Gig crews attended from throughout Cornwall and Devon, drawing out the names of the boats they were to row at the opening.

Twelve crews took part in eight races, Saltash Mayor Eve Storey firing the starting gun for the men's veterans' semi-final. Mrs Storey and her consort, husband Jim, were welcomed to the regatta by the president of Saltash Regatta, Mr S Harley, and chairman, Jeremy Pen-gelly.

The mayor said she used to row on the river in her younger days, when she lived at the Waterside.

During the afternoon, when the sun arrived, entertainment was provided on shore by 'Hi Jack' and his guitar, and there was face painting, swings, roundabouts, a circus workshop, and demonstrations with Saltash fire brigade and their water hoses.

On the river, members of the Tamar Canoe Association put their skills on view, the mayor then presenting 'Paddle Power' certificates to Jake and Jamie Gundry, Tim Stoneman and Nathan Binder.

Commentators on Saturday were Jeremy Gould on the pier, and Beverly Davis from the sailing club, with the co-ordinator Anita Bland and recorder Mary Mac-Donald. On Sunday Saltash deputy mayor, Joyce Mepsted, fired the starting gun for the flash boat races.

Saltash town band played, and a running commentary on events was given by Malcolm Down from the pier.

Starters for the races, involving seven clubs using 13 boats, were Roy Crapp and Ralph Smith with the recorder being Peter Fisher.

Cadets from Saltash sailing club formed a parade of their Fireflies, Mirror dinghies, Toppers, National 12 and 420s.

Crews from HMS Raleigh competed for the Prince of Wales Cup, the winners being the crew from the Ceries division.

Results were as follows: Gigs. Mixed plate race - l Helford in William Peters, 2 Cattewater C in Fury, 3 Zennor B in Fly; ladies' veterans - Dartmouth in Fly, Yealm in Fury; mixed veterans - Caradon in Rival, Dartmouth B in Fury, Dartmouth A in Cape Cornwall; men's veterans - Caradon in Rival, Helford in Fury, Falmouth in Fly; mixed race - Caradon A in Fury, Falmouth in William Peters, Caradon B in Fly. The mayor presented the trophies bar the last race when the honours were carried out by Maria Ashurst of the Boatman Inn, helped by drawing competition winner Emily Blackblock and her sister Alexandra.

Sunday's racing - under 16yrs boys' pair paddles - Calstock, Saltash, Saracens; senior mixed four oar - Saltash, Saracens, Saltash; under 14yrs Cornish ran dan - Mousehole, Calstock, Saltash; under 18yrs girls' four oars - Saltash, Mousehole, Calstock; under 16yrs boys' four oars - Saracens, Saltash, Calstock; Prince of Wales trophy crews from HMS Raleigh - Ceries division; ladies' pair paddles - Bev Davis (Penryn), Debbie Reynolds (Mousehole), Nickie Hasell (Saltash); under l8yrs boys' four oars - Saracens, Mousehole, Saltash; men's Cornish ran dan - Saltash, Polperro, Saracens; ladies' four oars - Saltash, Penryn, Saltash; under 14yrs four oars - Calstock, Saracens, Saltash; ladies' Cornish ran dan - Saltash, Saltash, Polperro; men's four oars - Saltash, Saracens, Polperro; under l6yrs four oars mixed - Saltash, Saracens, Calstock; Charles Chapman memorial trophy (mixed oar match) - Saltash, Saltash, Trelawny.