Grand Punt Race to offer townies vs. baymen rematch

Townies and baymen will have their third punting face-off this summer, and the competition is looking stiff.

The Narrows Group willputoff the annual "Townies vs. Baymen" Grand Punt RaceAug.8.

"The baymen are well known for their boating skills, so to put the challenge up to the townies has been a great feat," said Mark Hiscock, chair of the Narrows Group.

In the male division, the baymen have an undefeated record. The victorious team from Fogo will defend their title again this year.

"They're a hard team to beat, so we're hoping we'll get some townie men to step up to the plate and hopefully beat the baymen," said Hiscock.

In the female division, the townies took home the gold last yearafter an inaugural defeat at the hands of the baywomen.

"The first year the bayman won, and the townies got beaten so bad they went out and got their own punt," said Hiscock.

"We're hoping the baymen will step up and challenge the women this year."

The Narrows Group, which is focused on preserving and enhancing the entrance to the St. John's harbour, organizes the punt race to raise awareness of itscause. It has become a popular eventwith around 1,000 people watching last summer.

The race begins at Harbourside Park in downtown St. John's. Competitors will row twice around St. John's harbour.

While in previous years there has been a separate men's and women's race, there will be only one race at this year's event. Crews, however, must consist of only men or only women. Hiscock said he hopes to have four women's and four men's crews.

The Grand Punt Race starts at 10 a.m. and features a prize of $1,000 for the first place men's and women's crews.