Moray’s Olympic gold medal rower Heather Stanning has returned to the sport in spectacular fashion by winning gold at a World Cup meeting in France.
Heather and her Olympic women’s pair partner Helen Glover beat off the challenge of two USA crews to take gold in seven minutes 2.91 seconds in Aiguebelette.
It was the first time the Lossiemouth rower had taken part in an international event since winning gold at the London Olympics two years ago.
She said: “It fells fantastic to be back – I knew it was in us, we just had to get out there and do it.”
Heather returned to competitive rowing in November last year, returning from her Army duties which saw her serve for a spell in Afghanistan.
However, her hopes of an international return received a setback when she had to withdraw from the European Championships earlier this year, admitting that she was not quite ready for competitive rowing.
Glover went on to win European gold alongside Polly Swan, who has now moved to the UK eight team.
Alongside Stanning and Glover’s win on Sunday the UK took three further gold medals through the men’s four, the men’s quadruple skull and the women’s lightweight double skull.
Heather looks set to be back in action when the final World Cup event takes place on 13 to 15 July in Lucerne with the World Championships taking place from 24 to 31 August in the Netherlands.