Deputy Head steers rowing team to world championship victory! - 5/11/09

Published: 05 November, 2009

Despite challenging weather conditions, Plymouth College Deputy Head, Sarah Dunn, has clinched a gold medal in the World Coastal Rowing Championships held in Plymouth.

Winning the women's quads race, Sarah was coxswain of the Thames Rowing Club team.  Hosted by Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club, the event involved nearly 270 crews from around the world and saw men and women competing in single, double and quad races.  Last year the global competition was held in Italy.

"There were 22 boats jostling for position at the start and even though I had a team of Olympians and world champions, we were chasing the Swiss and Polish teams from an early stage", said Sarah.  "However, we battled our way around the marks and the girls doubled their efforts with a massive power surge at the Breakwater.  We also caught a couple of surf waves on the way back so we were about 400m in front by the time we crossed the finish line.

"It felt amazing to win and I was extremely honoured to be part of such a talented team whose power on the water is formidable.  A truly spectacular experience."

Photographs: Above right L to R - Sarah Dunn, Elise Laverick, Lenka Wech, Guin Batten, Miriam Batten.  Below - the team in action.