Enniskillen’s Holly Nixon will continue her bid for a Rio 2016 Olympic Games place when she represents the GB Rowing Team at the European Championships in Germany this weekend.
The continental competition, as well as being a major championships in its own right, provides Nixon and her team-mates in the women’s quadruple scull with more big-race experience ahead of the all-important final Olympic qualification regatta later this month.
Nixon, Tina Stiller, Jess Leyden and Rosamund Bradbury have already competed once this season – at the World Cup in Varese, Italy last month, where they finished fourth – and will be looking to step on again in Brandenburg from May 6-8.
“The field is even bigger once again than Varese, which is really exciting,” said Nixon, who made her senior GB debut at that World Cup event.
“This weekend is going to give us more of a glimpse of what could turn up at the Olympic qualification regatta in Lucerne. We didn’t have much chance to train together before Varese. It was a tough event and there was a lot of strong competition there but it was good to get some racing in and see where we are at.
“I think things are going well so far. Having more time in the crew is always a positive and we are making the most of that time together. I feel really lucky each day I get to go out with the girls. I am learning so much from them.”
Nixon has also been boosted by the support she has received from back home in County Fermanagh.
“I can’t describe the support I’ve received from home, the people are always so proud of their athletes,” said the 22-year-old. “I have a huge family back home and they are all excited. They’ll be behind me every step of the way, no matter what the result, and it’s so nice to have that support.”