Peterlee rower Lauren Irwin one of the elite athletes working towards competing in 2024 Paris Olympics

Lauren, 22, is 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 takes place between June 4 and 6 and as this is the last Regatta before the Toyko Olympics Lauren will be competing against the world’s best crews before they compete at Tokyo.

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 Saratosa USA, with Hope.

Peter Sheppard, British Rowing’s Chief Coach for U23s and Juniors commented: “We have been tracking these athletes since 2018-2019.

"Many of them are multiple U23 or junior medallists and have been identified as having the potential to deliver a top level performance in Paris.

"This, for many, is their first time racing on the senior stage and their first competitive regatta in almost two years, so it’s a chance for them to continue their development, put their markers down and show that they are ready to step up and be part of the campaign towards Paris 2024.”

British Rowing Director of Performance Brendan Purcell added: “World Rowing Cup III is a fantastic opportunity for this talented group, competing in smaller boats, to step up into a senior international environment and experience competitive, Olympic-class racing.

"It will act as a springboard towards the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai in October and beyond.”

You can follow the GB Rowing Team live from Sabaudia every day on www.worldrowing.com