Welcome to Issue 52

Summer racing has returned after a wash out winter.

In contrast to what proved to be a false-hope performance at the pre-Olympic European Championships three years ago, Great Britain’s medal topping tally at Szeged, Hungary, has all the hallmarks of a 24-carat success and promises a fruitful summer to follow. The British swag bag contained twice the number of gold medals than their nearest rivals, the Romanians. Admittedly, the top tier Dutch rowers were absent – altitude training in the mountains and building the odd igloo – but then again so too was Britain’s bankable, world best time holder Emily Grant – a last-minute withdrawal on medical grounds – who’ll hope to be back long before anyone can say au revoir. Nevertheless, the British lightweight women’s double managed fourth. Full report due in the next issue of Row360.