Great Britain are hoping to once again make the most of home waters after announcing their biggest ever rowing team for this month’s World Cup at Eton Dorney.
Eton Dorney was the scene as Great Britain’s rowers claimed nine medals at the London 2012 Olympics – including four golds – to top the medal table.
And as they prepare to return on June 21 for the three-day competition performance director Sir David Tanner is making the most of home advantage.
A total of 81 rowers across 29 boats will contest the event with the dual aim of winning medals while also offering top-level racing experience to emerging talents.
By contrast, when the World Cup last took place at Eton Dorney, in 2005, GB fielded 63 rowers in 17 boats.
“We will have a big crowd at Eton Dorney on all three days and it will be a good opportunity to give our emerging and U23 crews the chance to taste the intensity of World Cup racing alongside our more established and experienced stars”, said Tanner.
“We do not expect to repeat the heights of our medal haul from 2012 – after all this is a transitional year with some top rowers taking a break or having retired but I am sure we will give the home crowd some exciting racing and something to cheer for.”
The top male sweep rowers will race in an eight this year at Dorney in a crew which includes Olympic men’s four champions Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed and Alex Gregory.
Tom Ransley, Dan Ritchie, Will Satch, Mohamed Sbihi and cox Phelan Hill, all Olympic or world medallists, and Oliver Cook complete the big boat line-up for this event.
Alan Campbell returns to the scene of his London 2012 bronze medal in the single scull while Matt Langridge, a men’s eight bronze medallist and former men’s four world champion, continues his switch to sculling in a double with Bill Lucas.
Meanwhile in the women’s event, with Heather Stanning having returned to the British Army, her London 2012 gold-medal winning partner Helen Glover will continue her women’s pair partnership with Polly Swann.
© Sportsbeat 2013