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Phoebe’s rowing success at the Junior World Championships

11 September 2019

Upper Sixth pupil and Abbey Sports Captain Phoebe has placed 7th in the world at the 2019 Junior World Rowing Championships.

Phoebe had an early look at the site of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic regatta when she travelled to Tokyo to participate in the 2019 Junior World Rowing Championships as part of Team GB. She was a part of the Junior Women’s four, who achieved great results in an environment very different from the UK; temperatures in the mid-thirties but the humidity making it feel in the low forties posed a challenge that the team dealt with superbly.

The Women’s four beat India and Denmark to come 5th in the heats, before placing 3rd in their repechage after a very close race with the USA four. The highlight of the event was Phoebe and her team winning the B Final, holding off the other crews with a sprint finish, meaning they achieved the incredible place of 7th in the world!

Phoebe said “After a year-long selection process, I was ecstatic to be chosen to represent Team GB and the fact it was the Olympic test for next year made it even more special. The whole experience felt like we were on cloud nine, being treated like full time, professional athletes with an incredible support team behind us. The championships were nothing like I’d ever experienced – with worldwide media presence and meeting people from all corners of the globe who all shared our passion for rowing, as well as exceptionally close and dramatic racing which is harder to find within the UK domestic season. I had an incredible time.”

Phoebe is now set on rowing at an American College after completing her A-levels at The Abbey School, and will continue to train and race with Henley Rowing Club in the meantime. She explained that she is now “looking forward to seeing how far I can take my rowing in the future – possibly into under 23s or even the senior team.” We wish Phoebe all the best with her promising future within the sport, and look forward to following her progress.

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