European Rowing Championships: GB’s Lauren Henry and Benjamin Pritchard win golds

Great Britain claimed gold medals with Lauren Henry in the women’s single sculls and Benjamin Pritchard in PR1 men’s single sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Italy.

Henry, who won Olympic gold in the women’s quadruple sculls at the 2024 Games in Paris, put in an impressive performance in the women’s single sculls.

She came through the field and took the lead during the second half of the race to claim a controlled victory and retain her title at the event.

Pritchard also defended his European title as he beat Italian Giacomo Perini to gold in the PR1 men’s single sculls final.

The British women’s eight team of Annie Campbell-Orde, Lauren Irwin, Katherine George, Heidi Long, Megan Slabbert, Amelia Standing, Eve Stewart, Elizabeth Witt and cox Jack Tottem had to settle for silver as they finished 5.43 seconds behind a dominant Romania.

The successes added to the three gold medals the GB team won on Saturday.

The event in Varese is taking place prior to the 2026 World Championships, which run from 24-30 August in the Netherlands.

The men’s team for the Worlds are absent from Italy as they are at an altitude camp in Silvretta.