Christchurch Rowing Club's Clare Jamison runs Olympic champion Helen Glover close at Welsh Beach Sprint Championships

CHRISTCHURCH Rowing Club athlete and GB trialist Clare Jamison competed in the women’s singles and mixed doubles events at the Welsh Beach Sprint Championships in Saundersfoot.

The women’s category had a high calibre entry consisting of five GB development team members, who all qualified for the quarter-finals.

Jamison faced fellow GB team-mate and BTC training partner Kath Coleman-Jones in the semi-final. Coleman-Jones made the better start, but Christchurch’s Jamison powered home on the run, hitting the buzzer first to make the final.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, double Olympic champion Helen Glover steadily picked off her opponents to secure a place in the eagerly anticipated final between the two athletes who had dead-heated at April’s GB trials.

The final proved an evenly matched sprint to the boat, with Glover claiming a slight lead out to the first buoy, a margin she maintained to the turning buoy.

Then, both athletes managed their 180-degree turn before making their final push to be first to the beach, with Glover holding her advantage during the exit and sprint up the beach.

The mixed doubles had a similar high-quality entry, including an Italian combo who were reigning European champions. Jamison and partner Gregor made it through the rounds to face Glover and her partner, fellow Olympian Charles Cousins. After getting off to a good start, the Olympic duo got out to a length’s lead which they maintained to the end.