Fourth gold strike at World Masters

Nick (right) and Sam show off their gold medals at Banyoles

Nick Cowan and Sam Ayers won mixed doubles gold at the World Masters Rowing Regatta, beating nearly 80 other competitors in the F category, for crews with an average age of 60-64.

They were ahead from the start in the 1000m race and won by just over a boat length. It is the fourth time the pair have triumphed at the event.

More than 3,700 athletes from 747 clubs in 54 countries took part in the championships, held this year in Banyoles, Spain.

Nick, Sam and clubmate Celia Whittam also competed in their singles – with Sam and Celia taking second places – and they joined Gordon Jack in a mixed quad, which came a close second to an Australian crew.

Gordon and Celia were second in their masters G mixed double, too.

Return from injury

Nick and Sam have been plagued with injuries over the past 18 months and have been competing again only since Easter.

Nick said: “We worked very hard to get back on track in the past few months, and to get this result, we were absolutely delighted. In fact, we both feel we just about got away with it.

“We know how the boat feels when it’s going well and it wasn’t our best row. It means we have work to do, so next time we hope to go faster.”

Lakeland’s mixed quad (from left): Gordon, Celia, Sam and Nick