ROWERS LOUIS SHEASBY AND CARTER HORRIX STRIKE GOLD FOR GREAT BRITAIN

Louis Sheasby and Carter Horrix of Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club represented Great Britain last Saturday in the annual match against France at Lery-Poses, near Rouen, striking gold in a brilliant race. The French double caught the boys off the start, but they focused well and retained good composure to get back on terms. Gaining distance and boat speed with every stroke, they pulled away to build clear water ahead of the French. The Isle of Wight duo responded superbly to a final sprint from their opposition, by stepping up their rate again to cross the line one length ahead of France. This success for Louis, just 15, also supported by the IOW Talented Athlete programme, and Carter, 16, is the culmination of a 4-year partnership at Shanklin Sandown Rowing club. Carter and Louis, alongside 6 other crews, travel to the National Watersports centre in Nottingham later this week to compete in the British Junior Championships. Unbeaten this season, the crew are aiming to reclaim the gold medal they won 2 years ago.