Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom – 61 year old Brian Bailey from TinDirect in Cirencester found his arduous training regime paid off handsomely when he broke the World Indoor Rowing Record at Manchester’s Velodrome, beating the previous record by 2.5 seconds. Brian rowed 2000 metres in six minutes 44.1 seconds in the over 60’s lightweight category and took the world record title from Australian Lyle Parker. When age/weight adjusted, his time is 5 minutes 47.1 putting him on the same level as five times Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Steve Redgrave and his much younger team-mates, Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Tim Foster! (Brian competes again in Boston, USA at the World Championships on February 25th).
Speaking of his amazing victory, Brian said ‘It feels fantastic! I had done it in training but it was brilliant to beat the world record in a proper competition. The atmosphere was electric and the crowd got really noisy when the record was within reach. To beat it by such a margin was something else, and I've got to admit - it was nice to take the record off an Australian after the Ashes!’
Brian is no stranger to competitions. A successful career as a runner gave him good fitness levels and lung capacity. He won the European Championships in Amsterdam last December and his time of 6.47.5 seconds was only 9 tenths of a second outside the world rowing record. He recently won the Welsh Open Championships too.
His disciplined training regime includes interval training at different speeds to build physical and mental strength. He uses TinDirect Ltd.’s company gym and indoor rowing machine every morning to row 15 kilometres before work, followed by another half an hour every lunchtime. Cirencester’s TinDirect Ltd., (part of Global Computer Holdings) is an international, Business to Business IT hardware solutions provider and Managing Director Rod Haddrell keeps himself fit with road-running. He applauds Brian’s achievement saying ‘I’m a great believer in exercise because it helps keep a clear mind. Brian is a great worker and as an employer, if someone is prepared to compete at this level, we know their determination and dedicated attitude overflows into their work. We’re delighted and Brian has our full support for the World Championships.’
Despite his age, Brian hasn’t let health issues stop his love of sport. He suffered increasing pain when walking and his RAF doctors diagnosed osteo-arthritis. After breaking a metatarsal in his foot in 2004, an operation which also realigned his toes cured the pain. He gave up running and focused on rowing. After his latest record he wishes he had discovered rowing earlier!
Jo Osorio from Age Concern says ‘Brian’s dedication is a fantastic example to everyone and he proves you can achieve great things if you set your mind to it – irrespective of age. He shows how ambition can help us live life to the full. People are no longer putting their feet up and grinding to a halt but combining work with other opportunities. Jo added ‘Age Concern recently launched our new Heyday membership programme for that very reason. There’s a world of opportunity out there and it’s great to see Brian is showing the way.’
Brian heads to Boston, USA for the World Championships in late February with the full support of his work colleagues, friends and family. He says ‘It’s a different type of pressure now I’ve got the record. I can win but I’ll just go out and enjoy it. My only concern is that I’ll have enough time to acclimatise.’
-ends-
Related URL: http://www.tindirect.com/home.htm
|
