Kingsbridge has a new World Champion as the Backward Rowing World Championships came to the Crabshell Quay Regatta on Sunday.

Sponsored by Salcombe Gin, four finalists emerged from preliminary heats and in a thrilling final Stuart Grant won by a length. Last year, the trophy went to a New Zealander but Stuart has brought it back to the UK.

Kingsbridge now has its very own World Champion Backward Rower. Stuart was presented with a bottle of Salcombe Gin by Angus Lugsdin, co-founder and director of Salcombe Distilling Company, and a trophy and medal by Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod.

Paul Rossiter, Crabshell Quay Regatta co-ordinator, said: “An exuberant Stuart said that it had been worth all the months of training and that he was looking forward to opening fetes and signing autographs.”

The other finalists, who provided such strong competition, were Wendy Williams, who came second, Brian Stephens, third, and Tony Watson, fourth.

There aren’t too many people who can lay claim to be finalists in a world championship event but veteran Brian Stephens still has his eyes set on the top accolade. Magnaminous in defeat he said: “There’s always next year” .