Eurocontrol, the body responsible for air traffic in Europe had lifted bans imposed on aircraft following a phone call from an enraged George Gandy, who accused the controllers of "overreacting". Until 2200 BST yesterday evening, Northern Europe was at an effective standstill as heavy restrictions were imposed as a result of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. However, the prospect of missing Loughborough's BUCS trial on Saturday proved too much for LSAC Director George Gandy and the guru was left with "no choice" but to intervene. "The mouthwatering encounter between Warburton and Emery over 3,000m is going to be huge," explained Gandy "and Emery would have been stuck in Portugal had I not acted...it's all a bit silly anyway- when I was a lad planes used to fly whatever the weather, now a little bit of ash and they all go running for cover."
It is also rumoured that the UKA Endurance Coach has become "fed up" with the "dull" set up in Front Romeu and so is desperate to get back to Loughborough if only for a short while. "I must admit I regret leaving Portugal for this hell hole," said Gandy "it's just so boring here. I wanted to take the lads skiing on the glacier but old sissy Stewart [UKA Chief, Ian Stewart] said that they might get injured- so what? A touch of injury never hurt anyone! Besides, it would do Mo Farah good to get out of the hotel for a bit- a nice stroll near the edge of a cliff." It is well documented that Gandy and distance ace Farah do not get on and that situation has shown no signs of improvement. Branding the European Silver Medalist a "crank", Gandy went on to hit out at Farah's "sensitivity". "I am not here to be a parent," said the LSAC Director, "and my job does not extend to tucking Mo in every night....the airline lost his teddy bear and he didn't sleep for two nights- that is pathetic."
Gandy is expected to fly home for the BUCS trial on Friday but will return "with a heavy heart" to France the following Monday. "I have to say that I miss the guys- Warburton and his hissy fits, Emery and his sensibleness, all of them really," he said "but duty calls and so I will be back here with miserable Mo and the clan next week- what chance another ash cloud?"