PARIS, FRANCE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Making her Olympic debut in the Paris games, former UVA Varsity 8 standout Heidi Long played a starring role in helping the Women’s 8 crew from her native Great Britain notch a heat victory this morning over Team Australia by 2.4 seconds.

Long was on the UVA Varsity 8 that won the ACC title from 2016-2019, and finished in the NCAA Top 10 three times during her tenure in Charlottesville. Her Women’s 8 squad won silver at the 2024 World Rowing Championships in the lead-up to these games.

Team GB bested Australia and Canada, who finished 5 seconds behind them, and Denmark, who finished a distant 4th. By winning their heat, the British qualify for the A Final, set to begin at 4:50 ET on Saturday, August 3rd.

So far, only Romania has also qualified for the A Final as winners of their heat against the USA and Italy. Those two crews will row against Denmark, Australia, and Canada in the Women’s 8 repechages. That race will take place at 4:10 ET on Thursday, August 1st.