Islander, 23, dies after gig race

Nathan Woodcock had been planning to row across the Atlantic

A 23-year-old gig rower has died suddenly after a weekly race in the Scilly Isles.

Father-of-one Nathan Woodcock from St Mary's, had been racing the boat Bonnet against crews from other islands when he collapsed at the end.

Mr Woodcock, who was born in the Scillies, was treated by medical staff at the scene on Friday evening but they were unable to revive him.

He was one of four islanders preparing to row the Atlantic next year.

The death of the young lifeboat engineer has stunned the community.

Islander David Jenkins said: "He was a very popular guy, born and bred on St Mary's.

"He had his dream job, he met his partner a couple of years ago and they had a baby daughter. Everything was looking good for him.

Gig racing is part of island life in the Scillies

"Everyone has gone quiet this morning."

The local social club, the Scillonian, cut short its band performance on Friday night as a mark of respect to the young rower.

Mr Woodcock was due to enter the 2008 transatlantic rowing race from New York to the Bishop Rock Lighthouse next year.

He was to be joined by Joel Bond, 23, Tim Garrat 24, and Chris Jenkins, 42, who were aiming to beat the record for a four-person crew of 55 days 13 hours.

Gig racing is a focal point of island life on the Scillies.

The heavy elm-built boats are 30ft long and each carries six rowers and a coxswain.

Bonnet, built in 1830, is the oldest boat on the islands, but is still raced every week and had won the race on Friday when Mr Woodcock collapsed.

Gigs were originally built at the end of the 18th Century in Cornwall to take pilots out to sailing ships because many harbours were too small for the ships to anchor in.

It was essential for gigs to be fast as the first boat to reach the anchored ship was given money for the job.