NZ star's arrival for races delights | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

With her huge smile and bubbly personality, Southlander Louise Ayling was a star turn after taking silver at the world rowing championships at Karapiro on Sunday.

Now Wanganui people can cheer her on in tomorrow's Lion Foundation night sprints on the Whanganui River and in the Prospace Billy Webb Challenge women's race the next day.

Organiser Rob Hamill said he was over the moon. "It's bloody exciting to have her in the field."

Ayling, 22, takes the place of NZ No1 and defending champion Emma Twigg, who is taking a rest.

Ayling says she was a little shocked to be on the podium after the lightweight singles on Sunday.

"It's something that I never thought I could achieve in my life," she said.

After being overlooked for selection in the squad that travelled to Europe for the World Cup series this year, Ayling threw herself into an even more stringent training regime, moving to Hawke's Bay to train with local coach Doc McDonald. She credits McDonald with helping her regain her passion.

"I guess everything happens for a reason and because I didn't go away I knew that I would have to work harder than everybody else, and I wanted this so much so I put everything in."

With the lightweight single a non-Olympic event, she aims to force her way back into a double and earn selection for the 2012 London Games.