Rowers gearing up for Townies vs. Baymen punt race

The St. John's harbour wasfilled with puntsTuesday, as crews practicedfor the annual Townies vs. Baymenface-off.

The Grand Punt Race,now in its third year, pits townies and baymenagainst one other in a race for harbour domination.

Team Townie member Donna Connors was there Tuesdayto givetips to rowers, old and newincluding comedian Mark Critch.

Connor'steam won againstthe Baymenlast year, after suffering defeat in their first year. Shesaid her team ismore than ready to defendtheirchampionship; they even bought their own punt to help them train.

"It is definitely going to happen. The townies don't lose really well. So we bought ourselves a punt, and been just trying to get faster and stronger all the time," said Connors.

The race is hosted by The Narrows Group, an organization focused on preserving and maintainingthe entrance to the St. John's harbour.

"It's about preserving, enhancing, protecting both sides of the entrance to the St. John's Harbour,Fort Amherst on one side, with its military history in particular, but then also on the Battery and the fishing heritage on that side," said Ryan Cleary, co-chair of the Grand Punt Race organizing committee.

The race will begin10 a.m. Saturdayat Harbourside Park.

Eight teams arecompeting this year; thetop men's and women's teams willtake home a $1,000 prize.