Laura McKenzie wins Filippi Trophy
Beach Sprint gold for Great Britain at first international race of the season
It was a first international gold medal for Laura McKenzie, competing in the Coastal Women’s Solo (CW1x) in the final of the Filippi Beach Sprint Trophy which was held in the stunning setting of Marina di Castagneto (Livorno, Italy) on 8 June. In the race, Laura took gold ahead of the 2023 World Champion from The Netherlands, Janneke van der Meulen.
Posting to Instagram after the medal ceremony, Laura said: “that’s my first International gold in the solo, so I’m very happy. There’s certainly more to come, watch this space!”
Tom Pattichis, GBRT Beach Sprint Olympic Head Coach said: “This was a first opportunity for GB Beach Sprint crews to race internationally this season with two athletes from the senior Beach Sprint programme, Laura McKenzie and Cameron (Cam) Buchan, racing in Coastal Solo and a Coastal Mixed Double.
“Congratulations to Laura on winning her first international gold medal. Beach Sprints continues to grow and thanks to Filippi for supporting this new format and giving us an opportunity to race on the World stage. We continue to learn and develop the programme and look forward to racing at further events throughout the season.”
Cam, racing for the first time in a Coastal Men’s Solo (CM1x) at an International regatta, placed 4th in the time trial, before being knocked out in the last sixteen by last year’s World bronze medallist, Zygimantas Galisanskis from Lithuania.
Laura, a World silver medallist in the Coastal mixed double in 2023, also raced with Cam in the coastal mixed double (CMix2x). They placed fourth, narrowly losing out to last year’s World Champions Lithuania in the bronze medal match.
The event also provided a racing opportunity for some U19 athletes who row at the Beach Sprint GB Performance Development Academy on the South Coast. The standout performance was Valen Giacchetto of Christchurch Rowing Club who won a bronze in the U19 Coastal Men’s Solo.
