'Exceptional' 2016 St. John's Regatta sees M5, Outer Cove take top spots

The 198th running of the Royal St. John's Regatta saw wins for the M5 and Outer Cove crews in the water, as well wins for those on the shore who played Regatta Roulette. 

• M5, Outer Cove take top spots in Regatta time trials
• Hanging up the oars for the last time: a regatta retirement

In the men's championship, the crew from Outer Cove took first place with a time of 9:09.68, nearly half a minute ahead of second place Lamb's Rum at 9:36.50. NTV's men's crew took home the bronze at 10:03.44. 

The win was a special one for Outer Cove rower Brent Hickey. 

It means a whole lot to row for our community and win it — it's great.- Outer Cover rower Brent Hickey

"It feels amazing. I'm from Outer Cove and my father was actually on the last Outer Cove crew, I grew up looking at that and looking up to him," said Hickey.

"It means a whole lot to row for our community and win it — it's great."

M5 claimed the woman's championship with a time of 5:10.16, topping second place Cahill Group who came in at 5:19.46 and Dawe and Burke at 5:23.22.

"I'm so proud, the girls were awesome," said M5 coxswain Denise Carew.

"They worked so hard. They worked together constantly every single day — really collaborative — and worked really well together."

'Exceptional' year

Regatta committee member Sandy Hickman says the 2016 Regatta was a particularly competitive running of the event, especially on the woman's side.

"I have to say, it's been exceptional because of the pond conditions, because the competition — very close competition in a lot of races — because of the volunteers," Hickman said.

"And once it warmed up a bit by midday, we've had a great turnout of people." 

This year's regatta also saw a milestone race for the eventual men's winners from Outer Cove, as the crew had one of the fastest times ever recorded on the lake. 

"They broke the nine-minute mark and did it in very good form," Hickman said.

[Outer Cove] broke the nine-minute mark and did it in very good form.- Sandy Hickman, official starter

"[It's] only the fourth time that's happened … they're working hard toward the 200th anniversary in two years time."

And the Outer Cove crew members aren't the only ones looking forward to the 200-year milestone event, Hickman said there are plans in the works for the bicentennial regatta.

"There's a bunch of things going on in terms of improvements to the park around the lake and the visitor experience," he said. 

Hickman said more screens will be added around the lake to display video captured by a camera drone high above the venue.

'Regatta Roulette' winners

Jeremy Eaton dunked

8 years ago

Duration 1:09

CBC reporter Jeremy Eaton had a tough time staying dry at the Regatta Wednesday afternoon.

Those who took their chances playing "Regatta Roulette" were rewarded Wednesday with a holiday and some quality time around Quidi Vidi Lake.

• The biggest game of chance in town: The origins of Regatta Roulette

Despite the cool temperatures to start the day, crowds turned out to watch the races and enjoy the atmosphere and games on the shore.

CBC's own Jeremy Eaton even got in on the action, hopping into a charity dunk tank. Watch the wet action above.