New triumph for battling Scott

Scott, 25, lost both his legs above the knee when he stepped on a booby-trap explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011.

Before joining the army the former Cumbernauld High School pupil was a keen rugby player and coach.

Since Afghanistan the former soldier has developed a formidable reputation as a paralympic contestant, supported by the Help for Heroes sports recovery programme.

Competing in the TA men’s single scull at the event in Gavirate, nea Varese, he won both gold and silver during his impressive UK debut appearance.

He was third fastest overall, winning gold in the final in 4:31.10, while UK team-make Lawrence Whitely set the quickest time of 4:15.30.

Those positions were repeated when the two raced side by side in the final, with Dcott and Lawrence winning gold and bronze respectively, while Italy’s Daniele Stefanonic was second-fastest on both days.

Scott has completed the Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride on an adaptive handbike, a 350 mile ride through the battlefields of France.

He also represented his country in the 2012 US Warrior Games, supported by Help for Heroes.

Scott got into rowing through Help for Heroes after trying many different sports, and last year was invited on the British Paralympic Association’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme.

Later he captained the British Armed Forces rowing team in the inaugural London Invictus Games.

Martin Colclough, Head of Help for Heroes Sports Recovery said: “We’re extremely proud of Scott and his result at the International Para Rowing Regatta.

“Scott is a fantastic example of what wounded, injured and sick service men and women can do post injury, by using the power of adaptive sport throughout their recovery.

“It was fantastic for him to win a Gold and Bronze medal on his international debut for the GB rowing Team.”

Tom Dyson, GB Rowing Team lead coach for para-rowing, was delighted with the weekend’s performances.

He said: “The squad had a strong showing this regatta with some great results across the board.

“The singles produced some great racing for this stage of the season, with Laurence dominant in the TAM1x and Scott producing a brilliant debut performance on the international stage.

“The British team will remain in Italy for a training camp in Varese, the venue for the second World Cup – which will also feature para-rowing – from June 19-21.”

Scott was on tour of duty with 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan when his squad were hit.

As Scott climbed into his sleeping bag after completing night patrol his world changed forever when a Taliban-planted mine exploded.

He went to help his colleagues and the private who had been injured and it was on a final sweep of the area that Scott himself stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device).

Despite the partial loss of his legs, Scott remained conscious and composed enough to apply life-saving treatment to himself.

As colleagues rushed to his aid, a third explosive device hit the team, this time killing one of Scott’s friends.