Golds and world bests at Varese Regatta

May 5, 2008

Great Britain’s Siemens sponsored adaptive squad won three golds at the Varese International Adaptive Regatta this afternoon in Italy to make a promising start to the Paralympic season.

The golds came from single scullers Helene Raynsford and Tom Aggar and from the mixed adaptive four. Raynsford and Aggar also set world best times. The mixed double scull of James Roberts and Karen Cromie were third in their race.

"This is the first time that we have had an adaptive regatta at this level in the early season", said GB Performance Director David Tanner. "I’m really pleased that there has been such a good transfer out of winter training. This was a great experience in the run-up to the Beijing Paralympic Games where we know that the competition will be tough. The coaches have worked very hard to reach this point".

Meanwhile Helene Raynsford was more than pleased with her result after disappointment at last year’s World Championships. "I came here because I had something to prove after Munich", she said. "I feel that I’ve shown that I’m back on track to be in the medal zone in Beijing".

"I’m particularly pleased with my world best time", added Aggar. "It shows that all the work over the winter has paid off. It was a great afternoon for all four GB boats".

Newcomer member of the mixed adaptive four James Morgan, a former captain of Deal Rowing Club who has come into the adaptive squad from coastal rowing, said: "I really enjoyed my first Paralympic class race. I’m impressed with the professionalism of this squad and the back-up from GB Rowing, the coaching team and the EIS. There’s been a really good team spirit out here as the Olympic squad is training in Varese at the moment, too".

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RESULTS

WOMEN

Single scull

1. Helene Raynsford (GREAT BRITAIN) 5:47.40
2. Moro (Italy) 6:19.10
3. Bercovitch (Israel) 6:20.70
4. Snopek (Poland) 6:29.40

MEN

Single scull

1. Tom Aggar (GREAT BRITAIN) 5:08.40
2. Eli (Israel) 5:22.40
3. Serinyi (Hungary) 5:42.00
4. Malishev (Russia) 5:48.20

MIXED

Double scull

1. Australia 4:14.90
2. Italy 4:18.60
3. James Roberts/Karen Cromie (GREAT BRITAIN) 4:20.00
4. Poland 4:23.50

Coxed four

1. Vicky Hansford/Naomi Riches/Alastair Mckean/James Morgan/Alan Sherman(cox)
(GREAT BRITAIN) 3:33.50
2. Italy 3:37.30
3. Netherlands 3:44.80
4. Russia 3:54.00