Purchase to take break from racing

Zac Purchase, jointly with his support team within GB Rowi[img_assist|nid=3096|title=Zac Purchase in training earlier this year|desc=Picture: Peter Spurrier|link=none|align=right|width=336|height=251]ng, has announced today that he will take a break from racing in the 2009 season in order to recover more fully from a viral infection he contracted in March.

The team’s medical experts, the coaches and the performance director all believe it is the best thing for Zac, Olympic champion in the lightweight men’s double scull, to look forward to next year rather than trying to rush back for this year.

"The virus left me feeling a little low and I haven’t been able to train fully since.  I’m totally fixed on  delivering in 2012 and, for me it makes sense to stand aside for a little while. It’s frustrating but it’s just one of those things".

"We all agree that the priority for Zac is London 2012", said GB Performance Director, David Tanner, today. "With that longer-term goal in mind, it makes complete sense for us to look to the 2010 season and there is no pressure to come back quickly".

Purchase will sit out the season’s remaining two world cups and the world championships in August.