All smiles for Rotorua's silver success | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Arms numb.

Heart racing.

Lungs bursting.

It was all part of the gut-busting race for the line at the Junior World Rowing Championships for Rotorua's Laura Fischer.

"Two strokes after crossing the finish line I didn't think I could go any further," Fischer said describing her silver medal effort in Amsterdam a week ago.

Back at Rotorua Lakes High School yesterday the 17-year-old reckoned "second in the world" had a nice ring to it.

"One of the students came up and asked me if 'I was that rowing chick' and was I second in the world?

"I said 'yeah, in the world'. It sounds quite impressive."

The New Zealand junior women's quadruple sculls were just pipped by Germany in the 2000m race.

The international success has whetted Fischer's appetite for more top class regatta racing.

"The competition was the decider as to whether I would keep trying to get to a higher level with my rowing or stay at club level with the sport.

"I really enjoyed it and loved that level. I'm going to aim for the team again next year."

Teachers and classmates were all keen to hear how the medal-winning performance unfolded for her.

Fischer said her team started at the back of the field and managed to move their way through the field.

"I got to the 250m mark and was stuffed and thought only 1750m to go."

"I started noticing we were passing boats but knew there were still some in front of us.

"When we crossed the line we didn't really know where we had finished.

"It soon came through that we were second and we started celebrating."

Fischer was touched by the emails of congratulations from friends back in New Zealand that soon bombarded her inbox.

"Everyone was stoked for me."

Now it's a mad rush to catch up on the schoolwork she missed while in Europe.

And there is no rest for the wicked - or top rowers. Fischer starts her training programme today with a run, weights and perhaps a cycling session. Then it will be back on the water this weekend.

Fischer will represent the Bay of Plenty at the Interprovincial Championships in Ashburton in October.

And what of the world medal - Rotorua's first known international rowing medal?

"It might be on the mirror for a while but it will end up in a shoebox with the rest of them."