Witch-like rowers compete in Venice's Epiphany regatta

STORY: Venice's oldest rowers took part in a short rowing regatta on the Grand Canal to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany dressed like the "Befana", an imaginary old witch of the Italian folklore who is thought to bring gifts to children and fill their socks with sweets and presents on the night before Epiphany - or lump coal if they've been bad.

The regatta, dating back to 1978, started from a competition between two rowers of the Bucintoro club who challenged each other in a competition to prove their rowing skills.