News on Jamie Anderson Treble win

Here's some recent news from our top British rower Jamie Anderson:

After my successes last year, winning all three major school titles (National Schools' Head Race, National Schools' Regatta and the Princess Elizabeth cup at Henley Royal Regatta - which are known in rowing circles as "The Triple"), and representing Great Britain on the International circuit for the 2nd and 3rd times, I've taken it up another level and have now acheived EVERY MAJOR TITLE in Junior Rowing - Nationally and Internationally.

My international record thus far includes: GB-France Match (2001), Munich International Regatta (2002), European Championships bronze in pairs (2002), Munich International Regatta gold in pairs (2003) and now World Championship GOLD in JM eights (2003).

After being ranked top on the side all year, I sustained a nasty lower vertebrae injury in early July, but still went to GB trials under intensive physiotherapy. After a difficult time being trialled in the GB system (especially as I was nursing the nasty back injury during the trialling process) I was selected for the GB JM8+ (Junior Mens Eight) for the World Junior Championships which were held in Athens at the Olympic Lake (to be used for the Olympics in 2004).

So, for the last 3 weeks of July we trained constantly (3/4 times a day) in Chester, Strathclyde, Eton and finally Athens. Whilst in Strathclyde we competed in the National Rowing Championships of Great Britain, in Mens Open eights. The line-up included Henley winners, the GB international lightweight eight and a strong eight from Worcester, which included many GB internationals. We led the race from the start, and crossed the line with a comfortable lead, becoming National Champions.

Last week, we were in Athens. Conditions were very poor, and after leading our heat comfortably we took on huge amounts of water and sank 300m before the line. We were rescued and watched our boat sink beneath the choppy surface, while the Italians crossed the line first and went straight to the final. The meant we had to go through to the repecharge which was held on friday. The rep was a bad race, but we still made the final.

The final on Saturday was rowed over half of the usual 2km course due to conditions. we led the race from the start, and were still pushing away from the field as we crossed the line.

World Champions! The highest accolade a Junior can achieve and a fantastic way to end my junior career, and to begin my senior career.

British International Rowing Office media bulletin:

"GOLD AND SILVER FOR JUNIORS IN ATHENS

Great Britain's junior men's eight put its Wednesday "sinking" behind it to win gold on the final day of the World Junior Championships on the Olympic course at Schinias, Athens, today.

The Italians were quickest off the mark in the men's eight final but they were soon overtaken by both Great Britain and France on the course which had again been truncated at 1000m - half the standard distance for the event - because of strong tailwinds.

At 500m Great Britain were in the lead and in the closing sprint held onto the lead with the USA and Russia finishing in second and third respectively.

"The British lads were truly superb" said a delighted ARA (Amateur Rowing Association) Performance Director, David Tanner, afterwards. "They raised their game today and were going away from the field at the line. I am very, very pleased"."