New Zealand on a roll ahead of World Rowing Championships

MaheDrysdale

Having topped the rankings in the World Rowing Cup series this year, New Zealand will be among the favourites to win the competition, which gets under way at the world’s oldest man-made rowing course, The Bosbaan, on Sunday. 

The Kiwi contingent struggled at the Championships in Chungju last year - picking up just five medals as they finished ninth. 

Their 31-strong team includes a host of medal favourites with Mahe Drysdale coming off the back of men's single sculls gold at Aiguebelette and Lucerne while Emma Twigg has also been in fine sculls form this season. 

Italy go into the competition as defending champions but will likely face stiff competition from New Zealand's neighbours Australia again - having finished two bronze medals off the Italians a year ago. 

Australia boast three reigning World Champion crews in their team with Kimberley Crow returning to this year's Championships to defend the women's single sculls title. 

"We are confident that the crews selected will further progress our endeavours to achieve medal outcomes in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro," said Australian national performance director, Chris O'Brien.

Great Britain won the most gold medals at the recent European Rowing Championships in Belgrade and go to the Netherlands with a largely unchanged team.

Olympic bronze medallist Alan Campbell is the main notable absentee for GB Rowing with the men's four of Andrew Triggs Hodge, Alex Gregory, George Nash and Mohamed Sbihi set to threaten. 

"Holland is a great rowing nation, with a huge following," said Hodge.

"Having a chance to race in Amsterdam will be akin to racing at our Olympic home in Dorney.

"The crowd make any sporting event and I'm eager to see what the Dutch will do and, knowing the Dutch a little, I think this will be a Worlds to remember."

In terms of home hopefuls, the men's single sculls and men's four offer the most realistic chance of medalling with the latter currently world champions, having also won silver at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne. 

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