Ruth Walczak wins World Rowing Silver Medal

Photo: Peter Spurrier: www.intersport-images.com

Brianna Stubbs, Ruth Walczak, Emily Craig and Eleanor Piggott smiling with delight after winnig a World Championships Silver Medal

Ruth Walczak, Hollingworth Lake Rower and former Wardle High School pupil is celebrating success in the lightweight quadruple sculls event at the World Rowing Championships at Lake Aiguebelette France as part of a strong GB Rowing Team.

The Lightweight Women’s Quad was amongst the fastest qualifiers for last week’s final having won their heat in commanding style. The measure of their progress in the past twelve months came when they came home to take silver.

The race began with Germany and Australia showing well. The British quartet were in fourth but moving up well. By halfway they had third place ahead of the Dutch, the reigning World Champions. Germany continued to lead Australia but GB began to erode their lead.

In that third 500m the Dutch made a big move to get back into medal contention. The GB boat respnded and held them off and came up on the Australians. It was going to be a tough, tough final 500m. Australia began to fight back. GB continued to hold them off. Germany were still out front and the Dutch were flying up on the far side.

The squad, led by Ruth, kept their heads and their focus despite the Dutch pressure to come through and get the sliver in 6:27.07. Germany’s gold came in 6:25.10 and the Dutch took bronze in 6:28.27.

Celebrating her silver medal Ruth said: “I am still processing the race. It was such a fast race. I just called and the girls responded every time. There was such trust and intent in the boat. It was a good race to finish the season on”.

The lightweight women’s squad celebrated success across the regatta, with silver medals in all three boat classes and is in a strong position going into the winter training season as the team prepares for next year’s selection for Rio.