Petra proud of her GB call-up (From Worcester News)

Petra proud of her GB call-up

10:50am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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PROUD Petra Sandy plans to put her best paddle forward in a bid for World Dragon Boating Championship glory in Prague next month.

The 40-year-old from Lower Wick in Worcester has been selected for the Great Britain senior mixed team and is hoping for success in the Czech Republic capital when the event gets under way on August 25.

The Worcester Dragon Boat Club member, who has been involved with the sport for eight years, qualified for the GB team after attending the trials.

She said: “I was always a summer paddler but, after I turned 40 in September, I was invited to join the Great Britain senior mixed team for the winter trials.

“I carried on training with Worcester and the GB crew then went to another time trial in May. It was a single boat event with eight women and 12 men getting selected for the GB boat for the championship.

“I was the third fastest lady overall and the fastest woman paddler on the right-hand side. It will be the first time I’ve competed for Great Britain and I’m really proud of my achievement.”

In order to qualify for the GB team, participants were required to carry out a time trial in a single boat and were permitted two attempts — the best time over 400 metres would determine the final result.

On her first attempt, Sandy managed two minutes 27 seconds, which was better than anticipated but she decided on a second shot anyway. It was a good decision as she managed to clock 2.23, making her the fastest woman paddling on the right hand side of the boat.

There will be some familiar faces with Sandy in Prague as six other Worcester Dragons have qualified for the GB team.

Sandy, who works for Worcester-based recruitment firm Randstad, added: “Including me, there will be four Worcester paddlers in the senior mixed crew — two in the GB premier ladies crew and one in the premier men’s boat.

“I would also like to add that we are still looking for sponsorship — although Randstad has already sponsored us for some training kit.”