Rowing: Mold’s Andrew Davies targets Team GB spot

Sep 16 2010 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

FLINTSHIRE rower Andrew Davies has set his sights on winning a Team GB vest in the next round of international trials next month in Boston, Lincolnshire.

The 29 year-old single sculler, from Mold, will test himself against more than 70 of the UK’s top male lightweight rowers at the 5,000 metre water trial.

And the former Deeside AAC member warmed up for the challenge by scooping silver at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships in Ontario, Canada, just half a length off a gold medal.

Davies – a member of Cardiff City RC – gained a sturdy half-length lead at Welland’s International Flatwater Centre, only to be narrowly squeezed out of gold medal position in a late attack by Scotland’s Jonny Logan in the final 100 metres of the race.

“It was a really tough race and I was disappointed to lead most of the way but be overtaken in the last few hundred metres,” said former Castell Alun High School pupil Davies.

“At the same time it was a fantastic opportunity to represent Wales at the highest level I possibly can and it’s given me a really solid start for winter training and the next round of GB trials in October.”

Davies, who works for the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff, started sculling after being plucked from athletics to try his talent with the Welsh high performance rowing squad.

He only returned to the sport last winter however after a serious back injury sidelined him and ended his chance of qualifying for the GB lightweight team in 2009.

“It’s been a really positive year considering my back injury because there were times when I didn’t think I’d ever be able to row again,” he said. “But I know there’s a lot more in me.

“It’s getting tougher at the top now with lots of youngsters rising quickly to Olympic standard, but I’ve had time to build experience and hopefully my years of training have given me a solid edge to compete with.”