GB Rowing Team to race at Windermere Cup

April 30, 2022

The GB Rowing Team (GBRT) has entered a Women’s Eight (W8+), into the Windermere Cup taking place in Seattle on Saturday, 7 May

The development crew is being coached by Lauren Fisher and comprises: Alex Watson (Molesey BC), Lauren Irwin (Leander Club), Chloe Brew (Leander Club), Kyra Edwards (Nottingham RC), Sophia Heath (Leander Club), Annie Campbell-Order (Leander Club), Georgie Robinson Ranger (University of London Boat Club), Emily Lindberg (University of London Boat Club), Issy Powell (Leander Club/University of London Boat Club) and Isy Hawes (Leander Club). The crew is coxed by Morgan Baynham-Williams (Leander Club/Ross RC).

Here, Morgan tells us a bit more about the event and what to expect from the GB crew:

“This year marks the 34th annual Windermere Cup Regatta, a spectacular event hosted as part of Seattle’s Opening Day of Boating Season. The GBRT athletes will join the ranks of world-class athletes from around the globe who have competed in the historic event. The event takes place across Seattle’s Montlake Cut and thrives off of a legacy of tradition. The make-up of the event itself ensures some of the most gladiatorial racing in the rowing community, down a race track marked out by Seattle’s finest boats and river banks packed with crowds; an arena through which the sheer volume of the crowd itself provides an atmosphere like no other.

“Keep your seatbelts fastened; we’re about to join a dawg fight!”

“The British crew is packed with racing experience, with a mixture of returning Olympians, World Cup and U23 Medallists, and Henley Royal Regatta winners. Chloe Brew returns from the Tokyo Olympic eight bringing significant strength in the engine room. Former U23 Gold Medallist and two-time Henley Royal Regatta winner Lauren Irwin, alongside Alex Watson, recent University of Texas graduate and 2021 NCAA National Champion, provide further tenacity to the eights cohort. Emily Lindberg, Georgie Robinson Ranger, Isy Hawes, Issy Powell, Sophia Heath and Kyra Edwards all bring national team experience from U23 World Championships and World Cups. Exciting newcomer Annie Campbell-Orde will earn her first GBRT representation at this event, after finishing third at the recent GB Senior Team Trials. It’s safe to say this year’s crew has some serious horsepower embedded in its ranks and are excited to take on GB’s first race of the season!

“The Windermere Cup represents an opportunity that has been highly sought after within the Project Paris team since early 2020. With COVID halting the 2020 racing season many of the athletes have had to wait until this year for the chance to take on the University of Washington. The Huskies have built a legacy of outstanding performances within both men’s and women’s rowing and there is no doubt about the calibre that will be delivered by their crews on race day. Keep your seatbelts fastened; we’re about to join a dawg fight!”

Andrew Randell, GBRT Women’s Olympic Head Coach, said: “As we look ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympics there are few opportunities for our squad to gain vital racing experience in an Eight. This event is an important opportunity for the athletes to build this experience against a high calibre field and there should be some cracking racing!”