Bennett back in the medals at British Rowing Senior Championships

Alongside Fiona Gammond and stroke Holly Norton, both World Champions in the women’s four, Emma Spruce, Josephine Wratten, Madeline Badcott, Beth Bryan, Katherine Douglas and cox Erin Wysocki-Jones, Bennett climbed to the top step of the podium in Nottingham.

“Obviously it was massively different from Rio in terms of scenery but it was really fun racing with the girls, they are all up-and-coming and really talented,” said Bennett.

“It was a bit weird that I’m the experienced one and they were looking up to me! In the final we were ahead after 250m and led for the rest of the race, which was a bit different to being last at halfway in Rio and having to come through.”

Leander finished half-a-length clear of an impressive Cambridge University Women’s crew, with the University of London B crew in third.

In the men’s eight competition, an Oxford Brookes University A crew that featured Olympic Champion Scott Durant, London 2012 silver-medalist Peter Chambers and former World Champions Mat Tarrant and Joel Cassells had to settle for silver.

They lost out to the impressive young Leander Club A crew of Richard Clarke, Sam Arnot, Jacob Dawson, Adam Neill, Sam Twine, George Rossiter, Tim Clarke, Thomas Ford and cox Samuel Royston – who set a new regatta record of 5:36.50.

“Oxford Brookes are always big rivals of ours and we push each other on during the season, so it’s nice to get one over on them this time but I am sure they will be back,” said Tim Clarke.

“It’s been a good day for Leander. It’s always good to get down to the start and see your ciub-mates winning their races, it gives you a boost.”

Jess Leyden and Holly Nixon both won gold at this year’s combined Senior and U23 World Championships in Rotterdam. They claimed another victory in the women’s quadruple scull, teaming up with Lucy Burgess and Emily Carmichael to win by clear water in the final.

“I always like coming to the British Championships and representing my club, it’s really fun,” said Leyden. “I love competing and it helps make this time of year a bit more interesting.”

Nixon added: “It’s a really exciting time for women’s rowing in Britain, you could see today from all the crews out there that we’re upping the standard.

“Off the back of Rio, everyone is feeling inspired by seeing how well GB did as a nation. You can see that energy.”

© Sportsbeat 2016