World University Games 2018 & Gay Games

Newcastle University athletes returned from Shanghai following a very successful appearance at the World University Games.  In total, our athletes returned with 3 Golds and 1 Silver medal.

Natasha Harris-White raced in both the Women’s Eight and the Coxless Four.  Having won both the race for lanes in the Eight and the heat of the Women’s Four, she then preceded to repeat the results in the Final.  James Robson helped to ensure that Men’s Eight achieved the same feat as the Women.  The Men’s Eight dominated their race for lanes and won their final in style.

Frances Russell and her partner from Oxford Brookes’ placed second in both the heat and repechage of the Women’s Pair.  Having qualified for the A final they once again stepped up and return home with a silver medal.

Fiona Chestnutt and her partner in the Lightweight Women’s Double kicked off their campaign with a 4th place finish in the heat and followed this up by winning the repechage.  However, they ultimately finished 6th in a tough final.  Nicole Lamb had been selected in the Single Scull and placed 3rd in the opening heat.  After winning the rep, a closely fought final resulted in a 4th place final.

Elsewhere, Sam Baker was participating at the Gay Games in Paris. Racing with London Otters, he was entered in the Men’s Quad, in which he came away with Gold.