Henley Rowing Club’s GB junior eight triumph

THE Great Britain junior women’s eight, made up entirely of Henley Rowing Club athletes, picked up the first win of the annual regatta against France in Nantes last weekend.

In all there were 10 members of Henley’s successful junior women’s squad chosen to represent Great Britain.

The Henley crew of Florence Wiggins, Lauren Edwards, Maddie Orr, Ellie Thompson, Hattie Orr, Clare Pearson, Ella Morgan, Lily Stimpson and cox Rebecca Lister had qualified to row as the GB eight after a series of gruelling time trials at the end of June.

Accompanied by Emma Lister as spare rower, the Henley girls, who had already tasted success in the schools’ head, women’s head and national schools regatta, travelled to France with the GB squad several days before the regatta to prepare themselves for their first international honours.

The GB crew were fast off the start of the 1,500-metre course along the river Erdre and they showed the desire to command the water over the French boat with a canvas lead in the first 250 metres.