TWO-time world junior rowing medallist Violet Holbrow-Brooksbank helped Wales to one of their best ever Home Countries Regatta showings on the London 2012 Olympic lake, helping them win the Blue Riband women's 8s for the first time ever.

The Wye rower, who started out at Ross Rowing Club before rowing for Monmouth Comprehensive and then Wycliffe, is currently studying on a scholarship at Washington University in Seattle, where she helped them win the national Varsity College fours this year.

And now back home for the summer, the 19-year-old launched out with Wales at the annual four-nation regatta in a star-studded crew.

Rowing in the two seat in the penultimate 2000m race, her crew mates were Oxford Boat Race Blue and world U23 medallist Lucy Edmunds, London University's Efa Wilson, world U19 medallist Emily Downing, two-time world U23 medallist Katherine George, 2025 Henley Royal medallist Heloise Wormleighton, world U23 medallist Georgie Robinson-Ranger, Thames RC's Imogen Wolstencroft and Leander cox Hermione Hill.

Wales grabbed an early lead to go through 500m 1/3L up on England, and stretched out to nearly a full length at half-way.

There were a few feet of clear water with 500m to go and Wales in control came home a length to the good in 6.23.93 with the English second a length up on the Scots.

Old Monmothian world U23 gold medallist Robbie Prosser also returned from Cal Berkeley in the US to help the men's four take victory as Wales, who were hosting the regatta, secured seven wins in all, beating both Scotland and Ireland’s total for the first time.

Prosser, stroking a boat that included Llandaff Henley Royal Regatta medallists George Cowley and Kai Schlottman, plus Newcastle University British universities medallist Gwilyn Johnson, pushed his boat in front of pacesetters England just after half way before they stormed home 3L clear in 6.12.62.