TIM Fenemore, from Rugby, won gold competing in an offshore coastal rowing competition in Monaco.
Fenemore claimed gold in the EuroMed 40-plus age category alongside Ricky Rouille (Jersey) and Alberto Millie and Andrea Pareschi (both Trieste, Italy).
The quad finished first ahead of five other masters crews in the 40-plus category despite the average age of the four rowers coming to 62-years-old.
Warm and sunny weather led to a fast race with a fabulous backdrop with the crew taking part in just their second event together after winning gold in the Trieste Masters in December.
After tuning their Kanghua boat, a design they had never rowed before, the crew were ready to race against nine other boats over two laps of a 3km course.
Following a slow start, the crew steadily drew up behind two boats only to find their path blocked with the French crews refusing to give way.
Some five boats arrived within a few metres of each other at the first buoy, causing a clattering of carbon fibre.
However, a 15-year-old volunteer cox from Monaco Rowing Club expertly steered the crew through the other boats, avoiding collision.
After weaving through the fleet of boats, Fenemore and his crew moved into fourth place at the halfway stage and pulled away from the pack.
However, third place remained elusive as the crew crossed the line in just under 25 minutes, 11 seconds behind Cassis who won overall bronze.
Once back on dry land, the crew were stunned to discover they had won gold in the 40-plus masters category.
The crew will now begin training for regional and national championships in the UK, with aspirations for ranking points that will allow them to enter the World Championships in Genoa later this year.
