Northern Ireland Rowers Shine at World Cup Regatta: Shorten Strikes Gold, Doyle and Lynch Claim Bronze

In a thrilling start to the rowing season, Northern Ireland athletes shone at the first World Cup regatta in Varese, claiming medals and making their mark on the international stage.

Belfast’s Rebecca Shorten led the charge as she stroked the Great Britain women’s four to a gold medal, alongside her teammates Helen Glover, Samantha Redgrave, and Esme Booth. The quartet dominated the race from start to finish, with their biggest challenge coming from a second GB boat, ultimately securing victory and setting the tone for a successful season ahead.

Meanwhile, Philip Doyle from Banbridge and his partner Daire Lynch sprinted to a bronze medal for Ireland in the men’s double sculls final. The duo showcased their speed and skill, executing a powerful sprint to overtake Germany on the line and clinch third place in a tightly contested race.

Coleraine’s Hannah Scott and Aughnacloy’s Rebecca Edwards also put in strong performances for Great Britain, finishing fourth in the women’s quadruple sculls and pair respectively. Despite narrowly missing out on the podium, their efforts were commendable and bode well for future competitions.

The Irish contingent also impressed, with Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner finishing fourth in the women’s quadruple sculls. Although they have yet to qualify for the Paris Olympics, the team will have another opportunity to secure their spot at the final qualification regatta in Lucerne next month.

Overall, it was a successful outing for the Northern Ireland rowers at the World Cup regatta, with medals, strong performances, and promising results setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead. Fans can look forward to more thrilling races and impressive displays from these talented athletes as they continue to push themselves to new heights in pursuit of their Olympic dreams.