JULY 2005

Culdaff Rower wins on international debut

Laura D'Urso, Culdaff, has marked her international debut with a sensational Gold medal at the Home International Regatta in Cardiff. Laura who is 14, the youngest ever international at her club, the City of Derry Boating Club, won her international call-up following a hugely successful season rowing at the Junior 18 level in her single scull. Laura is competing four years ahead of her age group, and continued her remarkable progress with a convincing win in her first outing in an Ireland vest.

The win came as part of the Women's Quad scull, which saw Laura team up with three Dublin based rowers to take on the finest rowers that England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales could offer. The Home Internationals series is seen as a key part in the development of all elite rowers in Ireland and Britain and is the most prestigious prize in the Irish Under 18 rowing.

Paying tribute to the other crews in her race and the other girls in her boat she claimed the race as her greatest moment yet: "This is such a great feeling, pulling on the Irish vest felt amazing, and then to win was just the best. Things just went well for us on the day, and this is after just one week rowing together. With a bit more practice we could do even better than this'.

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