Bodman succeeding in juggling commitments

Friday 15th May 2009, 2:29PM BST.

Erica Bodman competes in the singles in Ghent where she reached the final of that event. (0771336)

FINALS are very much on rower Erica Bodman’s mind these days as she juggles university studies with a promising new sporting career in a boat.

Bodman, three times Island Games high jump champion, has made a remarkable switch from athletics to rowing and, taking a break from studying for her finals at Cambridge University, she headed off to Belgium and the 2009 Ghent International Regatta.

The result was a string of fine performances and a gold medal on day two in the women’s pairs with Anna Railton.

She was also in action in the singles, making the final against Floor Hassens, a Belgian rower who raced in a quad at the world junior championships last year and was part of the national team in Ghent.

Hassens won this battle on the water, but the Guernsey woman emerged from the weekend with more vital experience.