Women’s dory team brings home gold

It was the third time racing at the State Fish Pier in Gloucester for sisters Nicole and Natalie Jones, members of the Queen of Hearts Dory Club.

The women's race was a squeaker, as the Jones sisters came from behind to defeat their foes, Kathryn Richmond and Laurie Fleming, by one second.

The Gloucester team took an early lead on the way out to the flag, and had a boat-and-a-half lead coming home.

Nicole Jones says she finds herself rewinding the race over and over again.

“I had faith that we could give them a run on the way back if we just kept with them. But after the turn we lost some ground and it wasn’t looking so good for us,” she said.

Once the Gloucester team turned round the flag and gained some distance they cut in front of the Jones to try and prevent any thoughts of them getting by.

“So… that was the turning point....do or die,” said Jones. “We had to reach really deep and pour it on to the finish hoping their tanks were maxed out at that point. Once I could see them start to lose some ground I knew if we kept doing what we were doing we could take them.”

As they approached the finish line Jones could hear her father/coach encouraging them from the wharf. She felt sweet relief when the gun signaled the end.

Coming from behind really enhanced the win. Jones says she’s never seen her sister so happy.

“She rows in the stern so it’s hard for her to know in a close race just who is ahead. She was shocked when they announced us as the winners,” said Jones.

Normally the sisters, drained after the effort, just shake each other’s hand after the race. For that win, they got up and hugged says Jones.

“It was something we could share together and as sisters we don’t always see eye to eye...you might say we be like night and day. To get together and pull this off was a big accomplishment for us,” she said.

The International Races began in 1952 when Canadian fishermen challenged Gloucester fishermen to a friendly dory race to see where the better rowers came from.

Shelburne County rowers Wylie Blades and Donny Mahaney also competed in the event, losing this year to Gloucester. Last year they brought home first, also pulling one second better than their opponents.

The Jones sisters are back in training for the Canadian Eliminations on Aug. 30 in Lunenburg.

“We’re working on our turn… ‘cause it almost cost the race for us,” said Jones.