A Derbyshire firm which provided the oars that have thrust Team GB rowers to Olympic glory is toasting golden success.
Great Britain has won two rowing gold medals in Beijing - and both boats were fitted with oars made by Draycott firm EPM Technology. In fact, the Victoria Road firm has had a hand in no less than seven British medal wins, with the possibility of more to come.
And Formula One technology developed by the company has been revealed as the driving force behind the successes. Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter used EPM's oars to power their way to victory in the men's lightweight double sculls.
And the quartet of Andy Hodge, Pete Reed, Steve Williams and Tom James scooped gold in the men's coxless fours with EPM oars in their hands. Boats fitted with EPM's handiwork also brought Team GB two silver medals in the women's quad sculls and the men's eights. And the company's work helped the rowing team achieve two bronze medals in the men's and women's double sculls races.
EPM has also made paddles for Team GB's canoeists, who have already tasted success with a silver medal for David Florence in the C1 slalom event.
Graham Mulholland, EPM's managing director, said he was thrilled that all the hard work the firm had put in was paying off for the British athletes. He said: "Like the rest of the country, we are delighted with our success at the Olympics but the medals have a special significance for us because of all the work we have done with Team GB."
The firm, which employs 120 people, is better known for its work in motor racing. EPM uses composite materials, such as carbon fibre, to make components for the aerospace industry and professional international motor-sport teams - including six Formula One teams. The company's involvement with the Olympics began three years ago, when its expertise in F1 led the firm to be chosen as one of Team GB's Innovation Partners.
In the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, Team GB worked with EPM to hone the equipment for its rowers and canoeists.
The company set about custom-building each piece of equipment for individual Team GB competitors so that they gave them the optimum level of performance. Key to this process was making sure that every spare oar and paddle was set up identically and had exactly the same weight, performance and feel.
The development process included analysing data gathered from athletes using a rowing machine in a laboratory and designing a custom-built canoe seat for David Florence, who visited EPM's workshops.
Mr Mulholland, himself a former international slalom canoeist, said equipment plays a big part in making the difference between winning a medal and being an also-ran. In fact, the first product Mr Mulholland ever made using composite technology was a canoe helmet. He said: "You need to be exceptionally talented and dedicated to enjoy success in an elite sport but equipment is vitally important, and when medals can be won or lost in a matter of seconds it can give you the edge."
Yet more medals could follow this week, with more canoeists competing in their events. Mr Mulholland said: "We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the athletes. We would like to offer them our congratulations on their success and now we look forward to playing our part in their quest for glory in 2012."
Source: Derby Evening Telegraph
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