Guildford Rowing Club recently welcomed the Mayor Councillor Angela Gunning to celebrate the amazing achievements of two of their adaptive rowers Helene Raynsford and Vicki Hansford. 

Helene Raynsford made history at the 2006 World Rowing Championships in August becoming the first ever winner of the women’s arms only single sculls category. Helene had a far from perfect preparation for the Championships with eight weeks off due to a car accident in June:

“I was in hospital for a couple of days and so this gold represents a fantastic team in British rowing -  the staff, right through to Guildford Rowing Club”

said Helene. She claimed victory for the home nation ahead of Shira Golden (Canada) and Patricia Rollison (USA). It was the first time this event had been raced at the World Championships.

Vicky Hansford also won Gold at the World Championships in the legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed fours.  Vicky and her crew had the best start of the six crews and managed to hold off the late charge from the Dutch and Australian crews. 

Helene and Vicky train at Guildford Rowing Club and with the GB Rowing Squad under GB Adaptive high performance coach Chad King. 

Guildford RC Chairman, Doug Mitchell said:

“Guildford Rowing Club is extremely proud of Helene and Vicky.  Winning Gold at the World Championships is any rowers’ dream and this achievement is an example to other rowers at the club, especially the juniors, that medals can be won.”