Brookes Athletes on the World Stage

The performances this weekend at World Cup III in Sabaudia, Italy was a true testament to the strength, depth and development of the group of athletes who are a part of the Olympic Pathway Program (OPP) at BROOKES|Rowing. For all involved it was their first Senior International competition and several prospective Olympic Crews were to attend the Regatta.

Men’s Coxless Four – GBR 1
Sam Nunn
Sam Bannister
Matt Aldridge
David Ambler

Men’s Coxless Four – GBR 2
Lenny Jenkins
Matt Rowe
David Bewicke-Copley
Freddy Davidson

Harry Brightmore – Coach

Women’s Coxless Four – GBR
Esme Booth
Daisy Bellamy 
Lauren Irwin (Leander)
Hope Cessford (Leander)

After being granted Elite Athlete Exemption earlier in the year, a group of 15 athletes from both the Men’s and Women’s squads had been able to train at the High Performance Centre in Oxford. Despite the ongoing situation of COVID, there had been a selection made of a small group of “Project Paris 2024” athletes from around the country who would attend the third World Cup Regatta. 

Brookes were proudly represented in two men’s Coxless Fours and half of the women’s Coxless Fours entry. After promising performances in the Heats both Men’s Fours had to take the route of the Repechage to make it into the A-Final. Whilst with a smaller entry in the women’s event there was a Test Race on the first day of racing. 

With four out of the five places in the Men’s repechage going to the A-Final a dominating performance by both Men’s Fours put them both in line for medal contention on Sundays Final. 

After a great start, the GBR W4- were in a strong position challenging at the head of the race at the 1000m marker. However, despite a brave display, they narrowly missed out on a medal to a former European medallist Polish crew. Esme and Daisy have shown great character and set an example to the whole of the women’s squad at Brookes. We look forward to welcoming them back into the group for the summer season that is now well underway back in the UK. 

In M4- final, the GBR 1 crew charged out of the blocks into a strong position ahead of the rest of a star-studded field of athletes. GBR 2 also made a great start and were also in medal contention going through halfway. A hugely experienced Italian crew made a very early move for the lead through 1250m. The Brookes athletes held their nerve with a rapidly approaching race for 3^rd place to take an astonishing Silver medal. GBR 2 after a great display of power and speed took a very respectable 5^th place.

We are tremendously proud to be represented by such a talented and dedicated group of athletes. We hope that this will be the first of many appearances at the peak of international competition. BROOKES|Rowing look forward now to watching how they perform on the domestic stage in the coming weeks. 

Photos kindly provided by Harry Brightmore