JUST 24 hours before the Oxford and Cambridge crews line up for the traditional Varsity boat race on the Thames on Sunday, the women's champions will be crowned.

And if former Salisbury Cathedral School pupil Lorna Collins can help it, it will be the light blues rowing to victory at Henley-on-Thames.

The Amesbury girl is president of the Cambridge University Women's Rowing Club and will be leading her three crews by example, captaining the second boat Blondie'.

The 22-year-old's duties as club president have already included playing a leading role in preparing the teams for competition, putting them through a rigorous selection process and training 12 times a week.

Just three years after she took up rowing, Lorna's sporting achievements have already earned her the kudos of being named among the Cambridge 100' a group of the university's most outstanding students.

She said: "It's a tough sport, with dawn training in all weathers but we have really enjoyed our rowing this year and have developed strong team spirit.

"The squad has had some good results, everyone is pleased with our preparation and we are looking forward to producing a winning performance on Saturday."