Rowing: Turvey out on top: Henley women's regatta offers chance for leading Britons to race in domestic competition

JO TURVEY and Miriam Batten, unbeaten this year in Europe, won the coxless pairs event at Henley women's regatta yesterday. Only Kate Grose and Jo Gough, fifth in the world in 1990, were able to push them, writes Hugh Matheson.

Turvey and Batten were keen to race in the women's response to Henley Royal Regatta which in six years has emerged as an important event in its own right. Turvey said: 'Some of the other coaches think we are pot hunting but I enjoy being exposed to the domestic competition.' However, both would prefer to race over the international distance of 2,000 metres as that would be likely to bring in top foreign crews.

The women's national coxless four survived an appeal by Bedford RC following a collision shortly after the start of the final to win their event, although the race was not rowed out.

The national four which began badly in Duisburg a month ago has now gelled and expects a better result in Lucerne in three weeks. 'It is a different pressure from international racing,' Fiona Freckleton, the world bronze medallist, said. 'But this is our one chance to race in Britain.'

Helen Mangan and Patricia Corless won the lightweight double sculls; two months ago the event was elevated to the Olympic programme. The British double were fourth in the world last year and have raced well in Europe this season.

The single scull was won by Kim Thomas after the closest finish of the regatta in her one- foot victory over Gwyn Batten in her semi-final. In two weeks a women's single scull event will be included in Henley Royal Regatta when the international federation's World Cup will be raced for the first time at Henley with the Olympic champion, Elisabeta Lipa, and the silver medallist, Anneleis Bredal, in the field.