WITH 99 days to go until the London Olympics, Tom James has been given the clearest hint yet he will be competing in Great Britain’s flagship boat at this summer’s Games.
The former King’s School, Chester, student will row in the fours at next month’s World Cup opener after his rival for the final spot, Alex Partridge, pulled out of the running.
The team for the thee-race World Cup series, which begins in Belgrade on May 4, is the strongest indicator of who will line up for Team GB at London 2012.
James, 28, from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, is a reigning Olympic and world fours champion.
But he was made to sweat on his seat in the boat until it emerged this week that Partridge has decided to concentrate on a winning an Olympic place in the eights.
James said: “I’m looking forward to being in the four in Belgrade.
“After a long and sometimes difficult winter of training, it will be good to get racing.”
More than 130 crews, of all ages and standards, will compete across 47 events on the River Dee on Saturday in this year’s Chester Regatta.
The historic annual event, now in its 279th year and the oldest of its kind in the world, gets under way at 9am from The Red House at the Sandy Lane boating area and runs until 5pm.
The regatta is free to spectators. Car parking is available at Bishops’ High School.
