Irwin misses out on debut medal by one second
Peterlee rower Lauren Irwin made her senior GB debut at the World Cup Regatta in Italy – and narrowly missed out on a medal by one second.
Lauren,22,waspartofBritishRowing’s‘ProjectParis’elite athletes team, who are working towards competing at the Olympics in three years.
TheWorldCupRegattatook placebetweenJune4and6and as this was the last Regatta before the Toyko Olympics Lauren
was competing against the world’s best crews before they compete at Tokyo.
The women’s four (W4-) of Lauren, Hope Cessford, Daisy Bellamy and Esme Booth finished fourth in their race, just missing out on a podium spot.
Lauren was part of a young crew, including Hope from Durham, making their senior GB debut and faced a tough race with experienced crews who will be attending the Tokyo
Olympics.
The race was won by the Netherlands, current European Champions and favourites to win gold in Tokyo.
In a thrilling race for silver and bronze, Lauren’s crew was pippedonthelinebyPolandby a second.
Dad Paul said: “Lauren enjoyed the experience of competing at international level and is now concentrating on gaining a place in the GB team that will be attending the RowingWorldChampionshipsheld in Shanghai in October.”
Lauren, who attended St Bede’s Comprehensive, in Peterlee, started rowing aged 14 when her PE teacher entered her to compete in local indoor rowing competitions around the Easington area.
After discovering her passion for the sport, she then joined Chester-le-Street rowing club.