Helen's Henley Regatta honour

PENZANCE rower Helen Glover scooped the biggest prize of her career to date when she rowed to victory at the recent Henley Women's Regatta.

Helen lifted the prestigious Bernard Croucher Trophy for ladies' single sculling after defeating a rower from Canada in the final over Henley's 1500m course.

Getting off to a strong start, the Penzance sculler, who is a member of the World Class Start Scheme sponsored by Siemens, led all the way in the six-minute race, steadily pulling away to finish well clear of her opponent.

Her mum Rachel said: "This event has been the main focus of Helen's season and is the biggest regatta she has competed in as a single sculler."

Earlier in the competition Helen had won all her knockout heats comfortably.

Now, hot on the heels of this success, Helen will be back at Henley this weekend with three of her Minerva Bath Rowing Club teammates after they qualified to compete at the famous Royal Regatta.

Helen and her crew fought their way through some tough qualifying races and will now take their place alongside other GB crews, as well as two from New Zealand and one from China.

"The girls were delighted to win a place at the Henley Royal Regatta and will race the Chinese national squad tomorrow," said Rache.

She added that her daughter wanted to thank the Lord Lieutenant's Fund and Mount's Bay Rotary Club for their generous support.

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