Sheldon eyes medal chance after being snubbed for Rio test event
TRIATHLON
GRANT SHELDON will bid to make up for his Rio snub by landing a medal in today’s European Championships in Geneva. The 20-year-old Scot, who came 12th in the event 12 months ago, has been left out of the British team for next month’s Olympic test race in Brazil in a blow to his hopes of landing a spot at Rio 2016. But he will get a crack at GB rivals Matt Sharp and David Bishop over a gruelling circuit. “The course will be very testing,” said team chief Dawn Vaughn. “The swim is traditionally choppy, and the bike course is technical and hilly with some very fast downhill stretches. With riders facing a 9km hill, it will decide who is up to the challenge. There are a number of athletes that could perform very well. We’ll have to wait and see how they get on.”
ROWING
HEATHER STANNING from Lossiemouth and her Olympic, world and European champion pairs partner Helen Glover kept their four-year unbeaten record intact with a comfortable win in yesterday’s opening heats of the Rowing World Cup Finals in Lucerne, Switzerland. Stanning and Glover were never headed in their race, crossing the line four seconds ahead of Canada to qualify for today’s semi-finals. New Zealand and Denmark were the other heat winners. Stanning was one of five Scots to make positive starts to their campaigns. Continuing her new double sculls partnership with Vicky Thornley, returning Olympic champion Katherine Grainger moved onto the semi-finals, finishing in second place just behind Belarus, while Alan Sinclair from Inverness was in the men’s four that qualified for the semi-finals with a heat win over Belarus. In the non-Olympic lightweight events, Sam Scrimgeour from Kirriemuir and his world silver medal partner Jon Clegg recorded the fastest time in their event to qualify direct for their final today, while Inverness’ European lightweight single sculls champion Imogen Walsh won her heat to race in today’s final.
JUDO
COMMONWEALTH Under-48kg gold medallist Kimberley Renicks is out for another podium place at this weekend’s British Open at Wembley. Several Scots have made the journey south in a bid to enhance their world rankings with little over a year to go until Rio. Tain’s Connie Ramsay competes in the under-57kg class and Andy Burns, who won a medal at last month’s Pan American Open in San Salvador, is in the men’s under-90kg event.
ICEHOCKEY
EDINBURGH CAPITALS confirmed yesterday they have signed Canadian defenceman Nate Fleming to replace Loren Barron who has retired from ice hockey. Fleming has a Scottish father and the deal was done in 24 hours. He will make his British debut in September. The 26-year-old former University of British Columbia star said: “I’d been talking with several pro clubs but when the opportunity to sign for the Edinburgh emerged I made up my mind immediately. I’m excited to be joining my first pro club in the country of my father’s birth.” Capitals coach Riley Emmerson commented: “Some signings take time, some don’t. Nate’s was laser fast. It was done in 24 hours. When we checked him out with our North American contacts, we were told not to hesitate. According to our sources, he was BC’s best player and he can play defence and upfront.”