A HARWICH rower is celebrating after winning gold at the British Indoor Rowing Championships.

Susanna Mather travelled to the Olympic Park, in Stratford, to take part in the event.

With an impressive time of 9.02.04, Mather walked out of the Lee Valley Velopark as winner of the 65-69 lightweight category.

And having won the silver medal at the British Indoor Rowing Championships three years ago, Mather was ecstatic to be walking away with a gold medal this time.

Mather said: “It was amazing to win gold, which was my aim this year having previously won silver and bronze.

“I really wanted to win gold this time and after focusing all my training on doing that in the last four months it was a great achievement.”

Mather trained for the event in the gym facilities at the Dovercourt Swimming Pool, and was pleased for the hard work to pay off.

The rower, who has had to travel to Birmingham and Manchester to compete in the past, was also pleased to win gold at the Olympic Park – the stage where so many Team GB Olympians and Paralympians enjoyed their finest hour.

Mather added: “I particularly wanted to see the Velodrome at the Olympic Park and experience the amazing atmosphere especially as it was more local than going to Birmingham or Manchester.

“The Olympic Park Velodrome is a great facility.

"It is vast and awe inspiring, especially when being announced on to the race floor and taking your place among 80 rowers for your race.

“The organisation was brilliant and the atmosphere was incredible.

"It was certainly a day to remember.”