OXFORDSHIRE’S Great Britain Olympic rowing hopefuls are back in training ahead of London 2012, writes ED MEZZETTI.

Britain’s oarsmen and women returned to action this week following a short break – and now the battle begins to secure a spot in next summer’s Olympic regatta.

Although Britain have 13 boats qualified for the contest on Eton’s Dorney Lake, their crews will only be selected next spring and confirmed at an official announcement in June.

Former Headington School pupil Katie Solesbury, who lives in Wallingford, won bronze in the women’s eight at the recent the World Championships in Slovenia.

She said: “It is difficult to ignore the fact London 2012 is ten months away, so you don’t really want to lose a day of training.

“Everyone has come back switched on and ready to go. It is an exciting year ahead.”

Andy Triggs Hodge, who lives in Oxford, is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s four after winning gold in Beijing in 2008.

“The gold is still there,” he said. “They say to win one gold medal is hard, but to get a second is even harder.”