Adaptive Trials Report
Tom Aggar, who won the world championships title last year in the Siemens-sponsored single scull reaffirmed his pre-eminent GB squad position today.
Aggar, who has fought his way back to fitness after sustaining a rib injury over the winter, put in a solid performance to come out on top of the matrix.
"Tom has not had an ideal preparation leading up to the trials through injury but he is now back to a good fitness level. We have made a lot of adjustments to Tom’s technique since Munich and today showed he is coping well with those changes," said GB coach Chad King.
Meanwhile competition for the crew boats – the double scull and coxed four – reached new heights despite troublesome conditions.
Saturday’s trial for the mixed adaptive coxed four was so close – despite a very strong head wind that churned up the water – that a final decision has been postponed until further internal trials can be held.
Instead, a squad of five rowers plus a cox has been selected to continue. 2007 world silver medallists Alastair Mckean, Naomi Riches and Vicki Hansford are amongst the five, while experienced cox Alan Sherman has successfully retained his seat from last year. New faces Matthew Pears and James Morgan have also made the grade.
"We have more depth of talent aiming for selection this year than in previous years, particularly in the crew boats. This is healthy for the GB adaptive programme leading into the Paralympic Games," commented King of the competition.
There will also be further trials for the double scull. Helene Raynsford, the British candidate in the women’s single sculls, did not race today because of a recent illness.
