Fine Strokes, Volkswagen take home the hardware at Royal St. John’s Regatta

While high winds temporarily halted race action on Quidi Vidi Lake on Wednesday, calmer conditions would ultimately prevail, allowing crews from Fine Strokes Plaster & Painting and Volkswagen to row their way to victory in the 208th running of the Royal St. John’s Regatta.

In the East Coast Kia Men’s Championship, Fine Strokes Plaster & Painting eked out a narrow victory over Capital Home Hardware, with their final run clocking in at 9:22:22, just under seven seconds ahead of second-place Capital Home Hardware (9:29:01). Newfoundland Power (10:44:62), Tacora Resources (11:02:85) and EMCO HVAC (10:38:29 – DQ) rounded out the competitors in the men’s final.

The win ends Capital Home Hardware’s two-year winning streak as men’s champs, and marks the first win for Fine Strokes since 2023’s time of 9:15:71.

Members of the winning Fine Strokes team include coxswain Craig Whittle, coach Colin Stapleton, James Cadigan, Brent Payne, Eric King, Dan Cadigan, Cameron Hickman, Chris Sweeney and Adam Kavanagh.

In the Stirling Communications International Women’s Championship, Volkswagen St. John’s collected its third consecutive women’s title, finishing the course in 5:11:68, defeating Smith Stockley Ladies (5:16:94), All Star Rebar (5:25:41), Fine Strokes Plaster & Painting (5:26:57) and Gittens, Escott, Nwokedi and Associates (5:43:16).

Members of the winning Volkswagen team include coxswain Dean Hammond, coach Amanda Ryan, Alyssa Devereaux, Jennie Wade, Laura Roche, Nancy Beaton, Katie Wadden, Connie Duffett, Alison Jones and Amanda Hancock.