June 30, 2011 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamCompetitions and ClubsIndoor RowingPartners#YourStoriesArchive Sir Steve Redgrave to ‘row’ at Henley Royal Regatta Rowing Community Olympian Andy Holmes MBE tragically died aged 51 in London last October 2010 after contracting what is believed to be the rare waterborne disease, Leptospirosis. His memory will be honoured this year at Henley Royal Regatta by Sir Steven Redgrave CBE in a ‘Row-Over’ of the Henley Regatta course. This will take place immediately after the last morning race timed at approximately 12.30 pm and will be followed by an umpire’s launch with Andy’s daughters Aimee and Camilla on board. Andy was one of the prime movers of British Rowing in the early eighties and, with Sir Steve, ‘raised the bar’ for British rowing athletes to a level where, today only gold will suffice.ADVERT In the row over, Sir Steve will be joined by Andy’s first international crew which won at Henley 30 years ago this year and went on to the World Championships in Munich. Andy’s focus and determination at those ‘1981 Worlds’ when he was just 19 years of age – drove the crew to lead for most of the final – only faltering in the last few strokes to be edged out of the lead. “This Henley row over is a fitting memory to Andy,” said Sir Steve “He strove for success on the water and was the most committed person I can recall in his search for perfection and gold. Even after ceasing competitive rowing he returned with the same focus and dedication – taking the relatively small, Hammersmith based Furnival Sculling Club to huge success in the areas he became involved with”. Andy began his rowing career at Latimer Upper school in Hammersmith, west London, where he was coached by Olympic rowing silver medallist Jim Clark and later became part of Kingston Rowing Club’s ‘Red Machine’ – a regime defined and driven by ex-international Richard Ayling during the late 70’s & early 80’s during which KRC dominated coxed four rowing both at Henley and International level. Nineteen eighty one saw three KRC crews selected for the GB team – two of which won at Henley (4+ and 2- ) plus the women’s double of Astrid Ayling and Sue McNuff – who were the first GB women’s double to race at HRR). Sir Steve Redgrave will present an award to Richard Ayling in memory of Andy and in recognition of Richard’s services to international rowing in the boat tent area at approximately 1.00pm. Friends, rowers and supporters are welcomed to join the family at this occasion. ADVERT