Hill wins Great Britain coxing battle

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London Rowing Club’s Phelan Hill has been confirmed as cox of Great Britain’s men’s eight heading to London 2012, after a selection appeal by Olympic champion Rowley Douglas was turned down.

Hill, 32, has won world silver medals with the eight in each of the last two years but was pitted against Douglas – whose eight won gold in Sydney 12 years ago – in a selection process this spring.

Douglas, who has competed for Molesey Boat Club since returning to the sport in September 2010, launched an appeal after Hill regained his spot.

But a statement on Wednesday said: “British Rowing confirms that a selection appeal, presented by cox Rowley Douglas, was heard earlier yesterday in Henley-on-Thames by its appeals panel and that the appeal was not upheld.

“Phelan Hill is therefore confirmed in the role of cox to the GB Rowing Team men’s eight.”

Hill will cox the eight in the first of three World Cup regattas in Belgrade, Serbia, this weekend. Although Olympic selection will not be confirmed until early June, he can now expect to gain the spot.

Hill is one of five members of Putney-based London RC competing for Great Britain this weekend. He will cox an eight containing three of Douglas’s Molesey club-mates, including veteran Greg Searle.

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