Laura and Claire D'Urso took the gold medal in the Under 18 Double Scull event at the national finals which were held in Cork earlier this month. Claire also lifted the trophy in the Under 16 Single Scull championship.

The wins mark the first-ever junior national titles for City of Derry Rowing Club, and the club's first-ever women's win. The last time the club took a national title was in 1969, when the men won one of the adult events.

It's a tremendous achievement for the sisters, who are both still students at Cardonagh Community College.Claire, who is only 15, says she was delighted that it was a family achievement. "It was such a nice feeling winning with my sister. Our parents were there on the day supporting us, as they always are, so it was a very, very special day for the family."

European champs

As if that's not enough, Laura and Claire went on to deliver equally impressive performances at last week's European Junior Championships (Coupe de Jeunesse) in Cork.

Laura, along with teammate Lisa Dilleen (Galway) won two gold medals in Under 18 Double Scull.

Claire competed in the Under 18 Single Scull, despite being young for the category, and placed 5th in a very close race.

John Peto, spokesperson for City of Derry Rowing Club, told the 'Journal' yesterday: "We are thrilled for the girls who have worked so hard over a number of years now to become so dominant and have really put themselves, and City of Derry, onto the international rowing map."

Laura says that neither she nor her rowing partner Lisa really expected to shine so brightly at the Coupe. They won their 2000 metre race by a full three lengths, or ten seconds. "I didn't think we'd win it by that much. Neither of us were as confident as all the people around us. We thought it would be much more difficult than it turned out to be."

A bit of down time

After the last race ended, the sisters went out with the rest of the team to celebrate the end of the season. Claire explains that this was a rare treat. "We never normally get the chance to socialise after events during the year, because we are in training. So it was really great to relax and party a bit on Sunday night, especially as the Irish team won a total of eight medals."

Laura confirms that they follow a rigorous regime for most of the year. "You have give yourself a break and take a bit of time off in August, so that you can keep up the work the rest of the year." She trains on average three hours per day. Even when she takes the occasional week off, Laura makes a point of cycling or running to keep her fitness up. "You have to be motivated or else you'll fall back and start getting beat by people who never beat you before."

She should know, she won her first international title, the British indoor championship at the age of twelve.

Both Laura and Claire take their inspiration from their sport-loving parents.