Loch Winnoch’s Andrew Holmes helped Great Britain’s Men’s Coxless Four win the gold medal at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Brive-La-Gaillarde, France this weekend.

The GB Rowing Team's junior men's four took gold by a margin of just under three seconds.

Alongside Holmes were Jason Phillips, Will Perham and Stan Louloudis. They eased into the lead by halfway, overhauling the fast-starting Australians and were never threatened from that point.

"We've had some fantastic results here", said GB Team Manager John Layng. "It's the first time since 1999 that we've won two medals in junior men's sweep events. Even though we knew that the four were a crew with something special about them, it's still pleasing to see them coming across the line first".

The gold medal concludes a fantastic month for Scottish rowers.  At the Coupe de la Jeunesse (European Junior Rowing Championships) in Vichy, France, Scottish athletes Rosie Young (Balfron) and Callum McBrierty (Edinburgh) brought home four gold and one silver medal during the three day competition.

Further good news is that Scottish Rowing and Scotland’s Area Institute of Sport network are scheduled to start working in partnership together from this October to support the best Scottish based rowers.

The Area Institutes of Sport work with partners to build greater success for Scottish sport. Its expert teams work together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.

Said Lee Boucher, Scottish Rowing’s National High Performance Co-ordinator: "The success of all three rowers is a testament to the year-on-year professionalism and dedication shown by these athletes and their coaching teams. 

“I am hopeful that there is more to come from these and our other young rowers as Scottish Rowing integrates its performance programme with the Area Institute of Sport network in October.  With London 2012 on the horizon and role models such as sportscotland Institute of Sport athlete, Katherine Grainger, competing on the world stage, the future looks bright for rowing in Scotland."