GB Rowing Team name adaptive crews for Munich
The GB Rowing Team’s Paralympic hopefuls in the mixed coxed four will get a final chance to test their speed at the Munich world cup against their likely opposition this summer.
The Siemens-sponsored and lottery-funded squad are sending two adaptive crews to Germany from June 15-17 for the last international racing before London 2012.
The GB mixed coxed four which won World gold in Bled last summer remains unchanged for the Munich regatta with cox Lily van den Broecke from Oxford, Beijing bronze medallist Naomi Riches from Marlow, Pamela Relph from Aylesbury, Aviemore’s ex GB bobsleigher David Smith and James Roe from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Andy Houghton from Newbury, who won silver in Munich in 2009, will represent Britain in the adaptive men’s single scull.
World and Paralympic Champion Tom Aggar and the GB mixed double of Samantha Scowen and Nick Beighton will remain at the team’s training base just outside Reading to concentrate on training.
“Munich is a brilliant opportunity for the four to get some further racing experience and build on the excellent performances they have already put together to win in Bled last year and Varese just recently,” said GB’s lead adaptive coach Tom Dyson.
“It will be interesting to see the standard of competition in all the events in this last public showing before the Games, but for me, with the mixed coxed four emerging as the same unit as the previous year for the first time, it will be really exciting to see what they can achieve with a couple more races behind them.”
Houghton, 32, who will join the four on the plane to Munich, trains every day with Aggar under Dyson’s watch while also holding down a job in the telecoms industry.
“Munich is a great venue and I’m really looking forward to pitting myself against the competition,” he said.
Van den Broecke coxed the four to victory over their German rivals at the Gavirate International Adaptive Regatta on Lake Varese earlier this year and is expecting a tough contest in Munich.
“We want to make our mark in Munich, I’m really excited to see what we can do,” said the Durham University student.
“I love the start of any race and I think in Munich [our rivals] will be bringing their biggest game. But I’m confident in the crew and that we can deliver.”
Her crewmate Relph, who started rowing after having to give up a future career with the Royal Engineers, added: “The atmosphere when we get to training is a lot more exciting now with less than three months to go.
“There’s a lot more purpose to it. We’re getting close to the edge now and we’re all looking forward to racing in Munich.”
Great Britain topped the medal table in Beijing 2008 when rowing made its Paralympic debut – Tom Aggar and the now retired Helene Raynsford both winning gold in the men’s and women’s single sculls and jewellery-maker Riches winning bronze as part of the mixed coxed four.
Aggar is staying in the UK and focusing on his training though rather than travelling to Germany.
“This is the last few months of preparations to produce good results in the summer,” said the Londoner.
“It’s no secret I’m aiming to be on the top step in London but I’m under no illusions it is going to be hard. I enjoy going out and training to be the quickest I can on the water and the strongest in the gym and if people are looking to beat me then that’s a compliment.
“Everything at the moment is focused on London.”
The Paralympic regatta will be held at Eton Dorney from August 31 – September 2 and the GB crews for the Paralympic Games will be announced during a row-past at Henley Royal Regatta on June 27th.
For more information on this announcement contact [email protected]
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ADAPTIVE CREWS FOR MUNICH WORLD CUP
Munich, Germany, June 15-17 (Club/Home town/Date of birth)
Men’s Single Scull (ASM1x)
Andy Houghton (Maidenhead Rowing Club/Newbury/01.04.1981)
Coach: Tom Dyson
Mixed Coxed Four (LTAmix4+)
Pamela Relph (Birmingham Uni BC/Aylesbury/14.11.89)/
Naomi Riches (Marlow RC/Harrow/15.06.83)/
James Roe (Stratford upon Avon BC/ Stratford upon Avon/28.03.88)/
David Smith (Reading Uni BC/Dunfermline/21.04.78)/
Lily van den Broecke (cox) (Headington School BC/Oxford/08.01.92)
Coach: Mary McLachlan
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CONTACT DETAILS
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Caroline Searle – national and general enquiries:
M: Caroline Searle (07831) 755351
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Andy on (01225) 443998 or 07714 168391
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The GB Rowing Team squad is supported by the National Lottery
