University of Bath graduate Heather Stanning strikes gold at World Rowing U23 Championships in Scotland
University of Bath graduate Heather Stanning was one half of the crew that won Britain’s only gold medal at rowing’s World Under-23 Championships at the weekend.
Heather (pictured), who has recently graduated from the University with a degree in Sports Technology, struck gold in the women’s pair partnering Liv Whitlam.
The pair won yesterday’s (Sunday) final by three lengths to take gold ahead of the Romanian crew at the championships at Strathclyde Park in 7:15.90.
“It was a tremendous performance,” said GB team manager Drew Robertson. “They moved away from the field and just kept on going.
“They won by six seconds, around three lengths. It was the most commanding win of the whole event,” he added.
Both Heather and Liv are products of the Amateur Rowing Association’s World Class Start Scheme – a unique talent identification and development scheme.
The programme is funded by UK Sport with Lottery money and since 2006 is sponsored by Siemens. The programme at Bath has identified three athletes for Great Britain teams in the past three years and is run by Paul Stannard, Performance Development Coach, GB Rowing. The athletes in Bath train at the University and at Minerva Bath Rowing Club.
British rowers also won six bronze medals on the final day of the World Under-23 Championships.
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its Team Bath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or see the Team Bath website.
Posted: Monday 30th July 2007
