Local farmer’s world cup bid

11/05/2011 @ 12:48

Local farmer Evan Watkin will be hoping to steer Wales to World Cup glory at the 58th World Ploughing Championship in Östergötland in Sweden this weekend.

Evan arrived in Sweden a week early and was met by snow covered fields which were a far cry from the sun-baked farmland close to Cefn Coch where he has been preparing.

Wales is among 29 countries taking part with Evan joined by Llanfihangel farmer Elfed Jones in making up the Welsh team.

“Evan travelled out there last Tuesday,” said Elfed. “He stepped out of the airport to find heavy snow. It means the ground will be moist and ideal for ploughing.

“I’ve been practising where the soils were dry and hard – very different to those we’ll face in Sweden.”

Three years ago the pair made their debut in the competition in Austria where they finished a creditable fifth. Last year they decided the world final in New Zealand was a trip too far and they also missed the year before in Slovenia due to the birth of Elfed’s first child.

Evan, who has represented Wales no fewer than 12 times over the years, picked up his ticket to travel after winning the All-Wales Ploughing Championship for the ninth time.