World cup action in Lucerne for local rowers
12th July 2007Somerset and Wiltshire's rowers are back in action at this weekend's third and final world cup in Lucerne, Switzerland (13-15 July), and all are hoping to continue their earlier medal-winning successes. Stephen Rowbotham, from Winscombe in Somerset, has already won a gold and a silver at the last two world cups in the men's double scull, backed by Siemens, with partner Matt Wells. A victory in Linz, Austria (1-3 June), over the world champions meant a gold for the talented duo, while a further silver in a tough final was won two weeks ago in Amsterdam (22-24 June). Meanwhile Paul Mattick, who grew up in Frome and Taunton, will race once again in the men's lightweight coxless four, supported by Siemens. The crew has already made history this season - winning Britain's first ever world cup medal, a bronze, in this Olympic boat class in Linz before going on to take silver in Amsterdam. Georgina Menheneott, from North Bradley, will race in the Siemens-backed women's eight. After a stunning silver in Linz, to mark Georgina's debut, and a good performance in Amsterdam against a competitive field, the eight is an emerging GB line-up. With only one world cup to go before the final selections for the World Championships squad are announced on the 19 July, it is important that all boats perform to their potential. So far the season has been good for Great Britain. In the last world cup in Amsterdam, the British team won six medals in Olympic class boats, including both a gold and a bronze in the men's eights event - the first time in history that Great Britain had qualified two boats for the final of a world cup in this event. 876 athletes from 41 countries will compete in Lucerne. This is over 100 more rowers than entered in Amsterdam, and competition will subsequently be greater. Great Britain also faces competition for the coveted Overall World Cup trophy, awarded to the country which has the most points at the end of the series. With China entering fewer boats than expected, it is between Great Britain (102 points) and Germany (79 points) to battle it out on the water.