A GROUP of local rowers took part in the Irish Indoor Championships in Dublin.

This was the first event of the new Grand Prix series being staged by Concept 2, the suppliers of the rowing machines, and was well supported.

Anna Bailey of Hanley Swan and member of the Evesham-based Old Wrecks Indoor Club and current world record holder in the women's 50-59 heavyweight category, won easily in a time of seven minutes and 13 seconds, gaining maximum points and setting a new championship record in the process.

Bailey was recently accorded the newly inaugurated Veteran Sportsperson of the Year award by Sport Worcester at the city's Guildhall. She is also one of only eight rowers in the country to be funded by Concept for the World Championships in Boston next February.

David Cutting of Evesham, another Old Wreck, took the bronze medal in the men's 30-39 lightweight event in a time of 6.28.5, despite feeling under par.

Eddie Fletcher of Evesham, coach to the Old Wrecks, was persuaded into the saddle for this event and took sixth place in the men's 40-49 lightweight in a time of 7.17.3, earning valuable points, although out of the medals.

The next race in the Grand Prix series will be the East of England Championships at Nottingham in January.