Ruth Walczak and Jessica Leyden will be looking to impress in the World Championships

Ruth Walczak

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Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club’s Ruth Walczak and Jessica Leyden will be looking to impress in the World Championships in France in September. They are hoping to represent Great Britain in the Women’s Singles as part of The GB Rowing Team in Rio 2016 Olympics.

Lead by Olympic lightweight double champion Kat Copeland, Ruth, Jessica and other Olympic rower hopefuls will take part in a lightweight women’s single scull event.

Sir David Tanner, GB Rowing Team Performance Director, said: “We will have 13 current World Champions in action at the weekend across the squads and everyone will really want to be on top form to impress, so the racing should be truly world class.

“We are moving into the sharp end of the four-year cycle with 2016 Olympic and Paralympic qualification at stake for our boats at the World Championships in France in September.”

Ruth learnt to row in Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, coached by John Reynolds and Neasa Folan. She has since moved to London, where she has studied at University of London.

John said: “Ruth started off on rowing machines which we put into Wardle High as part of a ‘Training for Schools’ scheme, and then, being keen, she and her sister Lucy took to the water.

“I coached them in the junior squad and then they moved up to the senior squad before moving to London.

“I have coached Jess Leyden too, who will also be competing in the World Championships for her chance in the Olympics. She has already won the first ever women’s single sculling championships for the under 23s.”

Jessica Leyden was coached by John Reynolds at Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, and has competed in the London 2012 Olympics.

She came seventh in the B Final race as part of the 2012 World Rowing Junior Championships, and has won a GB v France Match in the Junior Singles at the London Regatta Centre.