York rower Helen Austin is ready to take on the world.

The 17-year-old St Peter's School pupil has qualified to row for Great Britain in the World Junior Rowing Championships in Austria next month.

Austin reached the British squad after taking the gold medal in the women's open coxless fours at the National Rowing Championships in Strathclyde.

Austin was originally selected for the European Championships squad after achieving a high ranking in the national trials but her crew's Strathclyde performance saw them elevated to the world event.

The four, comprising Helen and three girls from Lady Eleanor Holles School in Surrey, beat senior crews from around the country in the Strathclyde final, including Marlow, University of London and Worcester.

The crew was only assembled a few weeks ago after the national trials in Nottingham and since the trials Austin has been training with on the Thames with Great Britain coach Dominic Honey.

Said Austin, who started rowing two years ago: "It is a tremendous privilege to be selected to represent Great Britain. I'm absolutely delighted."

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