Thames RC's Elise Laverick has won the women's Wingfield Sculls for the amateur championship of the Thames and Great Britain, beating Olympic Silver medallist and World Champion Debbie Flood (Leander) and World Bronze medallist Jessica Eddie (UL).

Laverick, on the Surrey station, pulled out an early lead of nearly a length by the Black Buoy over Flood. Jess Eddie, less experienced in the single than the other two athletes, soon moved out of contention.

Able to see her opponent, Elise gradually increased her advantage, leading by 3 seconds at the Mile Post and 6 seconds at Hammersmith. In the second half of the race, Flood mounted several attacks in an attempt to bring herself back on terms but to no avail. Laverick won by 16 seconds in a time of 21:53.

The women's Wingfield sculls had not been raced since 1972. In honour of its resurrection, the Wingfield family donated a trophy which was presented to Laverick by Great Britain women's chief coach Paul Thomson.

This was a splendid victory against truly world class opponents - all three scullers having stood on the podium at the World Championships - and in the tradition of Jack Beresford, the TRC sculler who won the Wingfields a record seven times.