News

Posted: July 22, 2015

There is a strong Scottish representation in the GB Rowing Team selected for the World Championships – a major milestone on the road to Rio.

The World Championships – taking place in Aiguebelette, France from August 30 to September 6 – this year double as a qualification regatta for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Among those looking to ensure their boat will be on the start line on the spectacular Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon next summer are reigning Olympic champions Heather Stanning and Katherine Grainger, from Lossiemouth and Glasgow respectively.

Stanning and Helen Glover have also added the World and European women’s pair titles to their collection since London 2012 and are unbeaten in their last 27 international races.

“I'm obviously delighted to be named in the pair for another World Championships with Helen,” said Stanning, who is coached by Robin Williams.

“The project with Helen and Robin continues to excite me as we are still findings areas of our rowing to improve and ultimately getting faster.

“This season so far has been great but that's just put us in the position we want to be going forward to the World Championships, where first and foremost we must qualify the pair for Rio. Equally as important to us is to defend our world title.”

Five-time Olympian Grainger, who took a two-year break from rowing after securing that elusive gold at London 2012, will contest the women’s double scull with Vicky Thornley.

Grainger’s career medal tally at the World Championships is already six golds, a silver and a bronze and she has never been outside the top seven having raced in five different boat categories.

Vicki Meyer-Laker, of Premnay, is in a women’s eight which is unchanged after winning bronze at each of the last two World Cups, in Varese and Lucerne.

The line-up of the men’s four, coxed pair and men’s sweep spares will be finalised over the next few weeks. Among those in contention are Munlochy’s Alan Sinclair – a European champion in the four this year – and Edinburgh’s Callum McBrierty, who won coxed pair gold at the World Cup in Lucerne earlier this month.

In the lightweight races, Imogen Walsh of Inverness will contest the women’s single scull – she is the reigning European champion in that boat.

Kirriemuir’s Sam Scrimgeour will be partnered in the lightweight men’s pair by Joel Cassells.

The full World Championship crew selection is available at www.gbrowingteam.org.uk

Article provided by GB Media Team