A tumble into the river did not deter Richard Carless from going on to win the amateur punting championship race on the river at Maidenhead on Sunday.

The three quarter of a mile race is one of the highlights of the 132-year-old Thames Punting Championship event, which has been held at Maidenhead for the last 32 years.

Spokesman Peter Williams said: “No-one actually saw him fall in because he was out of sight when he got hit by a wave. It definitely did not put him off though.”

Crows gathered all day along River Road to see the racing. The event followed the previous day’s Maidenhead Regatta.

Source: windsorobserver.co.uk