Enniskillen rower Holly Nixon will attempt to become Fermanagh’s first ever senior World Championship medal winner when she competes in the Women’s Four final at the World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam on Saturday.
The crew of Fiona Gammond, Donna Etiebet, Holly Norton and Nixon booked their place in Saturday’s finals with an impressive win over Germany in their heat.
Great Britain led from start to finish. The British took their stroke rate to 34 in the conditions to get to the finish line first. Germany went to 38 to close on the British lead, but they had left it too late and Germany will return for the repechage.
The British time of 6:40 was the fastest qualifying time of the two heats.
Reigning world champions the United States won the other heat and are sure to provide a tough challenge as will the Germans no doubt if they come through the repechage.
Nixon is competing in her first year at senior level with Great Britain and while she missed out on a place at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, her summer could indeed end on a glorious note.
Whatever happens the future is bright for the 22-year-old who impressed at the GB Olympic trials and has already won a World Junior sculls silver medal while rowing for Ireland in 2011 and a World U23 bronze medal with the women’s eight in 2015.
Add to that a win at Royal Henley at the start of the summer and it has been quite a first year for the former Portora Boat Club rower in her first year at senior level.
Saturday’s final will be at 10.55am (BST), 11.55am and there is sure to be plenty of interest as Holly Nixon bids for gold.