GB announce World Rowing Championships squad

The 30-year-old is part of the 66-strong Great Britain team that has been selected and joins all 16 of the British medallists in Glasgow.

The men’s eight missed out on a medal after a tough season on the water but, with Sbihi fighting fit and quality rowers such as Will Satch and Tom Ransley in the boat, they can look ahead with optimism.

Only four Great Britain boats secured medals in Glasgow but British Rowing Director of Performance Brendan Purcell believes that there are plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the championships.

“We’re pleased to announce this team for the World Championships, which features strength across the board,” he said.

“The coaching team led by Chief Coaches Jurgen Grobler, Paul Thompson and Tom Dyson, supported by the sport science and medicine staff, deserve credit for managing the athletes through a busy season and preparing them for our most important regatta of the year.

“There have been some difficult moments this season, with injuries, illness and hard racing but the athletes have remained committed to the task at hand.

“We’re looking to finish the season well to ensure we take momentum into the important 2019 season and have clarity on what we need to do in 2019 to qualify as many boats to the Olympic and Paralympic Games as possible.”

The women’s eight is unchanged from the silver-medal winning team from Glasgow, as Rebecca Shorten and crew look to improve on a fifth-place finish from last year.

Also in the squad is Angus Groom, back in the squad after missing the Europeans to partner Jack Beaumont in the men’s double sculls.

The pair won gold and silver in the 2018 World Cup series, and Beaumont won bronze at the Europeans alongside Harry Leask in Groom’s absence.

Elsewhere, Paralympic champion Lauren Rowles has pulled out of the GB Para-rowing squad due to injury and will be replaced by Laurence Whiteley in the PR2 single sculls.

Sportsbeat 2018