The squad of 50 athletes selected to represent Great Britain at World Rowing Cup I in Varese, Italy on April 12th to 14th was announced by British Rowing last week, and includes Lauren Irwin in the Women’s Eight and Women’s coxless Four.

Athletes from 34 countries will compete in the event which is the first of an annual series of three regattas leading up to the World Rowing Championships, this year having added significance with the Paris Olympics taking place in July. Racing at the World Rowing Cup includes the 14 Olympic boat classes.

Lauren is from Peterlee and started rowing after taking part in an indoor rowing competition at the County Durham School Games while at Peterlee St Bede’s School. She joined Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club and  was invited to join the Durham University Junior High Performance Academy where she coached and mentored younger rowers, before studying Sport, Health and Exercise at Durham University, graduating in 2019.

Now representing Leander Club she has appeared many times at Durham Regatta representing Durham University Boat Club and Chester-le-Street ARC, winning the Archibald Challenge Cup with Chester-le-Street in 2016.

Lauren Irwin and Hope Cessford winning Women’s Eli 2- in 2016

We wish her and the squad every success.