Olympic rower Vicky Thornley straight through to quarter finals in Tokyo

Vicky, 33, powered through in heat four of the women's single sculls at 2am UK time this morning, beating Switzerland's Jeannine Gmelin by nearly three seconds.

She now goes through to the quarter finals of this tough event, which take place at 3am on Sunday UK time.

They were due to take place on Monday but have been brought forward due to an inclement weather forecast.

This is Vicky's third consecutive Olympics, having won silver in the women's double sculls with Dame Katherine Grainger at Rio in 2016.

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She is seeded sixth in the UK and is the first British woman to qualify for single sculls in the Olympics since Alison Mowbray at Sydney 2000.

St Asaph-born Vicky lived in Colwyn Bay until the age of 11, attending Rydal Penrhos school, before moving to Holt in Wrexham.

Vicky Thornley crosses the finishing line. Photo courtesy of BBC iPlayer

Proud father

Her proud father Andrew, who lives in Tattenhall, said the family had stayed up to watch the race live in the early hours of this morning and they were delighted to see her win her heat and get straight through to the quarter finals.

He added: "We watched the race live and we were all a little bit nervous but we were very pleased with the result.

"Vicky has texted us to say she was pleased with the way she did her race.

"She goes straight through to the quarter finals now."

Vicky's next race is taking place at 3am UK time on Sunday.

Watch as Victoria Thornley qualifies for the women's single sculls quarter-finals after finishing first in her qualifying session

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