For international standard women single scullers.
There was never any surprise that Lauren Henry would be entered or that she would pre-qualify. After setting the world of rowing alight with her incredible winning margins and her record times, HRR looked like just another stepping stone to be navigated. However, for Lizzie Webster, fresh from winning the Rosie Mayglothling Trophy for Aspirational Double Sculls at Henley Women’s Regatta, it was going to be a tough challenge.
Qualification
The first step for Lizzie was to qualify. 17 athletes entered, only 12 to compete and in the qualification round, she’d need to be in the top 4.
In very challenging conditions, with a strong head wind blowing straight up the course, Lizzie sculled bravely and showed great determination. Her coach Howard Marsh said to her as she boated, “it’s not going to feel great out there, but you will go fast, just keep working all the way!”
Jubilation for Lizzie she had qualified. Now on to the first round, on Thursday.
First Round
As Lauren is one of the seeded athletes, she sat this round out and wouldn’t be in action until Friday.
Lizzie came up against the Canadian Shannon Kennedy, who won the international standard quad sculls event at last years HRR.
It was a brilliant experience for Lizzie who, although didn’t manage to win, found the whole experience incredible.
Lauren was drawn against the very experienced Lithuanian, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the single sculls.
After being side-by-side for the first 3 and a half minutes, Lauren steadily pulled away to take a commanding lead, eventually winning comfortably by 4 1/2 lengths.
The Final – F.S. Nielsen, DEN v L.R. Henry – Princess Royal
Watch again by clicking the link above
In one-on-one match racing, it can be a huge advantage to have a quick start and try and get up on you opponents and try to boss the race, to take charge and dictate terms.
After Nielsen took an initial canvas lead out to Fawley, Lauren started to apply real pressure. Showing a real composure under pressure, maintaining her length in the water, her connection at the catch and all-round brilliant rhythm, Lauren started to pull away. It was a length at 4 minutes it was 2 lengths by 6 minutes. The second half of the race was all Lauren’s. Coming from behind, she took an incredible 7 seconds off the old course record.
An incredible win, underscoring her huge ability, and a tribute to the sheer hard work and determination she puts into the sport.