Success for local rowers this weekend in Lucerne
17th July 2007Somerset and Wiltshire's rowers all performed well for Great Britain at this weekend's third and final world cup in Lucerne, Switzerland (13-15 July), with Paul Mattick, of Frome and Taunton, making history by taking gold. Mattick was racing in the Siemens-backed men's lightweight coxless four, winning the first gold for Great Britain in this Olympic-Class event ever. Leading the race the whole way through, some confident rowing ensured British victory despite fast Dutch and French opposition crew. Mattick said 'We kept the pace and the rhythm and the length and it was such a good feeling'. Mattick has had a sensational season - the four already had a bronze from the first world cup in Linz, Austria (1-3 June) and a silver from the second world cup in Amsterdam (22-24 June). Meanwhile Stephen Rowbotham, from Winscombe in Somerset, raced once again in the men's double sculls event with partner Matt Wells backed by Siemens. Despite this event being highly competitive, the British combination has gelled together well this season, and a silver medal was the deserved result. Rowbotham and Wells have already tasted success this season. A victory in Linz, Austria (1-3 June), over the world champions meant a gold for the talented duo, while a further silver in a tough final was won two weeks ago in Amsterdam (22-24 June). Georgina Menheneott, from North Bradley, raced in the Siemens-supported women's eight, which finished fourth. This is another strong and consistent performance by a promising crew, which raced without Natasha Page, who had been moved into the pair. Rebecca Rowe substituted. The excellent results contributed to Britain winning the coveted Overall World Cup trophy for the first time in 10 years over habitual winners, Germany. The trophy is awarded to the country which has the most points at the end of the World Cup series. The trophy win is testament to the overall success of the British squad so far this season. At this World Cup the British team secured two golds, three silvers and a bronze. Final selections for the Great Britain squad for the World Championships are announced this week (Thursday, 19 July). 876 athletes from 41 countries competed in Lucerne, which was the third in a series of three World Cups.