Cornish Pirates

Local Girl Helen Glover Wins Britain's First 2012 Gold

Congratulations from all Pirates to local girl Helen Glover and her rowing partner, Scotswoman Heather Stanning, for their achievement in winning Great Britain's first 'gold' at the London 2012  Olympics

Rowing in the women's pairs final, Helen and Heather stormed to victory in convincing style after leading from start to finish at the Eton Dorney Rowing Centre. Their finishing time at the rowing venue 25 miles west of the capital was seven minutes 27.13 seconds.

Helen, aged 26, who was a gifted runner and hockey player as she grew up, was spotted as someone suited to be part of the 'Sporting Giants' scheme spearheaded by Sir Steve Redgrave, and with obvious talent and potential she was inspired to make the grade at rowing, with the grade ultimately achieved taking her all the way to an Olympic gold.

The Glover name in relation to sport is not new in West Cornwall, as in his youth Helen's dad Jimmy was also a gifted all-round sportsman. who played for 'Magpies' of  Penzance FC and rugby for the Pirates, before captaining Oxford University  in the 1960 Varsity match.

Jimmy Glover

Qualifying as a teacher, Jimmy also made 199 appearances for Bristol and scored 44 tries, and among his many other rugby honours he played for Devon & Cornwall against the 'All Blacks, he captained Cornwall in the County Championship, and and he also played for the Barbarians.

Other family members have also enjoyed participating in sport, including Jimmy's uncles Steve and Ben Jelbert who both played rugby. Steve, the legendary figure whose sales of ice cream proved so popular in Newlyn, played for Newlyn RFC, and Ben played for the Pirates.

Helen's cousins, brothers Martin and Stewart Tucker also played for the Pirates. Martin is well-known locally as the Director of Penwith College, whilst Stewart is one of the country's leading consultant spinal surgeons.

Helen and Heather had extra pressure steeped upon them as the GB team looked for a first gold medal at the London games, and ahead of the race it would have been felt also by Helen's mum Rachel and dad Jimmy. However, they were no doubt ecstatic with a win that brought enormous relief and joy, plus  immense pride at what had been achieved.

The winning Celtic pair had performed well on the world stage leading up to the games, but the Olympics are special and they are the first female champions in the history of British rowing. Australia finished second for silver and the bronze went to New Zealand.