Jess Leyden takes the elite single prize at Henley Women’s Regatta

Jess Leyden from Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club

Jess Leyden took honours for Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club as she raced at the Henley Women’s Regatta on Sunday.

Jess joined over 1,600 women and girls who were competing on the famous regatta course. She was entered in the Women’s Elite single scull event and after a slow start, overpowered a crew from Wallingford Rowing Club in the semi final – she went on to win by five lengths.

After a two hour rest in glorious sunshine and baking temperatures, Jess went into the final to take on a woman from DSRV Laga RC, based in the Netherlands. This time she led from the start and won comfortably, finishing some three lengths ahead.

The George Innes Cup was presented to Jess by 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Anna Watkins and medals given to Jess and her coach Ian John by Helen Grant, the Government Minister for Sport and Leisure, who had flown in from Rio to attend the event. Sir Steve Redgrave was also in attendance.

Jess is flying out to Amsterdam this Thursday to compete in the Holland Becker Regatta over the weekend and will also compete at Henley Royal Regatta the week after.