A TALENTED young rower shook off the effects of a cold to win a national bronze medal.

Harry Andersen impressed at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in London.

Despite his success, things could have gone even better for the teenager, who is a member of Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School Rowing Club.

Harry lined-up in wave three of 85 competitors, and started strongly.

After five minutes, he was in second place, just behind Adam Stephenson of Twickenham. However, he slipped back into third place with a time of 6m 14.4s.

QEHS Rowing Club’s Pauline Higgins was full of praise for a youngster.

She said: “Harry has already had national success at J15 and J16 level, and is no stranger to competing at this level.

“However, at the older age groups, the competition intensifies with many competitors from top GB clubs.

“Harry was second in his wave but had to settle for third place and a bronze medal.

“In the last minute when Harry is normally still strong and ready for the final burst, the effects of a recent cold showed as he slipped behind.

“Nevertheless, it was an outstanding result as Harry medalled for a third time in a still impressive time.”

Harry is progressing along the Great Britain Trials Pathway, which identifies youngsters with the potential to become part of the GB rowing team.

He has been balancing the conflicting training needs of 5km time trials on the water in a single scull, with 2km timed racing on indoor rowing machines.