Peterlee rower Lauren Irwin misses out on debut medal by a second at World Cup Regatta

Lauren, 22, was part of British Rowing’s ‘Project Paris’ elite athletes team, who are working towards competing at the Olympics in three years.

The World Cup Regatta took place between June 4 and 6 and as this was the last Regatta before the Toyko Olympics Lauren was competing against the world’s best crews before they compete at Tokyo.

The women’s four (W4-) of Lauren, Hope Cessford, Daisy Bellamy and Esme Booth finished fourth in their race, just missing out on a podium spot.

Lauren was part of a young crew, including Hope from Durham, making their senior GB debut and faced a tough race with experienced crews who will be attending the Tokyo Olympics.

The race was won by the Netherlands, current European Champions and favourites to win gold in Tokyo.

In a thrilling race for silver and bronze, Lauren’s crew was pipped on the line by Poland by a second.

Dad Paul told the Echo: “Lauren enjoyed the experience of competing at international level and is now concentrating on gaining a place in the GB team that will be attending the Rowing World Championships held in Shanghai in October.”

Lauren, who attended St Bede’s Comprehensive, in Peterlee, started rowing aged 14 when her PE teacher entered her to compete in local indoor rowing competitions around the Easington area.

After discovering her passion for the sport, she then joined Chester Le Street rowing club.

Success came quickly when she won all local regattas in the region, this culminated when she was selected to compete in the Junior World Championships in Rotterdam in 2016, with Hope Cessford from Durham.

Lauren, who is funded by the National Lottery, trains up to three times per day and won a gold medal in the Under 23 World Championships in the USA, with Hope.