Raft Race sabotage yesterday!

AudlemOnline heard reports yesterday that two of the rafts in the RNLI Festival Raft Race (Hibberts' and Oxtail & Trotter's) were sabotaged with holes drilled in them.

We waited until we heard more details from a legally reliable source before publishing this news.

Who, we wonder, was responsible? Any information will be gratefully received!

The photo shows repair work and patching assisted by Festival officials Joe and Mike!

Even if this was a prankster who was responsible, it was rather a shame in what is meant to be a fun event but it didn't prevent both rafts taking part after repairs and success for Hibberts' after 20 odd years of trying.

As a Hibberts representative said later: "It was a day mixed with fear, tiredness, controversy and elation.

"The team consisted of Stewart Bailey, Jonathon Manning, Camille Renaudon and Stephanie McPhillips who braved the cold and rain to represent the athletic prowess of Hibberts.

"Fortunately, Stewart Bailey had earlier insisted on a trial 'row'. This proved to be a very sensible suggestion as it became clear that there had been a sabotage attempt. Upon returning from their practice run it appeared that there had been some suspicious holes drilled into the bottom of the raft. The return to shore was tense as the raft filled with water.

"After emergency repairs were undertaken the team began to tentatively paddle towards the starting blocks weighted down by the excessive black masking tape deployed to prevent a disaster of titanic proportions.

"The race began and Hibberts steamed into the lead with the cries of "faster, faster" being yelled from the crowds. The Hibberts were the first to reach the halfway point but were quickly followed by a competing team.

"Disaster nearly struck when the two leading teams appeared to be on a collision course but Stewart valiantly pushed them away with his paddle and tried to sink them.

"Finally Hibberts were declared the winners and returned gleefully to the delight of the nearby crowd.

"The trophy now proudly sits somewhere at a secret location to avoid it being stolen by a jealous competitor."

Well done team Hibberts! You have now all been automatically enrolled in next year's race!

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