Local rower named in home World Cup Squad

Photo: Peter Spurrier, Intersport Images

Ruth Walczak

Ruth Walczak has been named as part of the biggest GB Rowing Team of all-time for a World Cup to race at Eton Dorney from June 21-23.

It will be the most important event the GB Rowing Team have participated in since the London 2012 Olympics, where they picked up four gold medals, two silvers and three bronzes.

Ruth Walczak, from Rochdale, will go it alone in the lightweight women’s single scull.

The 24-year-old came second in the national trials earlier this year.

In 2012, she teamed up with Imogen Walsh in the lightweight women’s double scull to take bronze at the European championships. Ruth started rowing through British Rowing’s Project Oarsome scheme at Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club.

Performance Director Sir David Tanner CBE is optimistic that the team will be able to take full advantage of competing in front of a home crowd.

“We will have a big crowd at Eton Dorney on all three days and it will be a good opportunity to give our emerging and U23 crews the chance to taste the intensity of World Cup racing alongside our more established and experienced stars”, said Tanner.

“We do not expect to repeat the heights of our medal haul from 2012 – after all this is a transitional year with some top rowers taking a break or having retired – but I am sure we will give the home crowd some exciting racing and something to cheer for,” he added.