LOUISE and Katie Hudd who race for Ross Junior Rowing Academy won a hotly fought WJ15 x2 race at Saltford near Bristol.

Katie said: “This was my 14th birthday and I wanted to do something to remember it by. Winning this race with my sister has really made my day.

“The Bristol Avon Regatta, whose roots go back to 1850, was not part of Ross RC schedule of race events but, as we live in South Gloucestershire and only a few miles from the event, we asked club captain Ian Howell if we could represent the club at our local event.” Louise said: “This was the first time we have raced for Ross without the whole squad being there, and it did feel strange, even a little intimidating with a large support for the opposition.

”Robin Fletcher, the Junior Captain, had sent us a very inspiring email which we thought about as we rowed up to the start, this really helped us a lot.

“We cannot thank Ross Rowing Club enough for the support that it has shown to us since we joined. We would recommend anyone who has never rowed to give it a try, and there is no better club to row at than Ross RC.” The club’s next squad events are this weekend at Monmouth Regatta on Saturday and Sunday and at Hereford Regatta on Bank Holiday Monday. Across this weekend the Ross Club is competing in more than 40 different events, by far a record for the club and illustrative of the depth and quality of rowing taking place.

Ross Junior Academy competed in the Ball Cup at Dorney Lake, site of the 2012 Olympic Regatta.

The club entered 12 competitors, some only 10 years old, but returned with nine medals, five gold, three silver and a bronze.