On a monumental day for Irish rowing with four athletes (one pair, two singles) in world championship finals, Mark O'Donovan and Shane O'Driscoll got the ball rolling in style.
Competing in the lightweight men's pairs final, they lead for almost the entire race and were comfortable winners as they crossed the line in 6:32:42, nearly a full two seconds ahead of the Italian team in second place.
They had to survive a late push but showed superb race management to see off the competition and crown themselves world champions.
Yet more rowing success out of Skibbereen, and it didn't stop there.
Paul O'Donovan was out to win his second consecutive world championship gold having claimed first-place in Rotterdam, and after coasting the semi-final he put in another incredible performance in the big show.
Once he gained the lead in the first 500m he manages to go from strength-to-strength and set a pace that could not be matched, eventually crossing the line in 6:48:87.
As calm as you like! There was no catching him, and while winning gold at the world championships is a magnificent achievement, to retain that title the next year sums up the level that Paul O'Donovan is at.
Next up for Ireland, and for Skibbereen, was Denish Walsh who was hoping to take gold in the women's lightweight final.
Despite a solid effort that saw her keep pace with the pack throughout, she finished in 6th place as South African claimed the gold medal ahead The Netherlands and the USA.
Well done to all involved, and a huge congratulations to Skibbereen Rowing Club which is firmly in 'national treasure' territory at this stage.
