GB YOUNG GUNS WIN BRONZE IN GERMANY!
GREAT BRITAIN youth boss Neil Vatcher praised his “battling” Bronze medallists. The national side picked up third place in the FIME European Under-19 Pairs Championship Final in Pocking on Saturday afternoon.
Image courtesy of Peter Grune
They finished on 22 points behind winners Poland on 31 and Denmark on 30. Will Cairns then beat Germany’s Patryk Hyjek in a run-off to secure the Bronze medal after a tough event.
Cairns top scored with 12, Cooper Rushen picked up eight and Luke Harrison two points.
Vatcher said: “It was a hard meeting with a lot of ups and downs. The boys were battling for everything and they got the reward of a medal.
“Fair play to Will for producing a nerveless win in the run-off. He was excellent with five brilliant wins all day.
“The main thing is that all three of them worked together to get the result.
“Considering Will is just 17-years-old, Cooper is 16 and Luke is 19, this is another strong performance. It really does show we have a strong future.
“We also have Jody Scott going so well along with a group of very promising young guys further down the ladder that we will be working hard with to develop these riders will be the nucleus of a great team in the future as they progress into the seniors.
“These meetings are so testing on man and machine. But they keep finding good results and we are delighted with all three of the lads.
“It was a setback when we lost a 5-1 to the Swedes in heat 23. But they missed their chance in their final outing. Will then saved his best win for the run-off when we really needed it.”
Vatcher then admitted, at dinner afterwards, that all the team celebrated Bronze by watching Robert Lambert win the World Individual title.
He added: “We all stood up and sang the national anthem and watched Robert on the podium.
“That was a very special moment and was very emotional for me personally.
“The entire British Youth Championship system started after first watching Robert at the Isle of Wight back in 2010.
“To see him deliver a Gold medal in the World Championship is a very proud moment. Robert has been an amazing ambassador for us and now has won three Golds in total, which is unbelievable.”
