2023 World Championships Preview

The 2023 World Rowing Championships are upon us with Olympic Qualification spots up for grabs in what will be an enthralling week of racing. With 25 athletes across 12 boat classes, it will be wall to wall action for us Welshmen to keep an eye out for our favorite athletes. Catch the table below for the number of Olympic Qualifications spots in each boat class.

Kicking off the regatta will be Tara Rigney in the Women's Single Scull. She will be heading into the regatta with plenty of confidence after a strong World Cup campaign earlier in the year. Tara will be in Heat 3 at 6:40PM (all times AEST) tonight.

8:47PM make sure you are glued to the TV to catch the Lightweight Men's Double Scull in action. Shaun Murphy will be looking to make a statement and set the tone to try and grab one of those elusive lightweight Olympic Qualifications spots.

With plenty of changes on the men's sculling side since World Cup 3, David Bartholot will be in a new look Men's Quadruple Scull who will be pushing for a spot in the A Final and Olympic Qualification. Kicking off tomorrow night at 9:17 PM with only Top 2 into the A/B SF.

Lucy Coleman will be looking make a positive start to the regatta after signs of improvement throughout the World Cup campaign in the Lightweight Women's Double Scull. With only 2 spots up for grabs in SF A/B tomorrow night at 7:03 PM.

Coming up primetime on Monday night at 8PM is the first of our Para crews being the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four. With Harrison Nichols and Thomas Birtwhistle setting the rhythm up in the stern. We got to hear from Harrison and how preparation has been heading into this week. Harrison is only in Year 11 at Hunter Valley Grammar so he has assured us that all his free time has been dedicated to studying with exams waiting for him when he arrives back in Sydney! Harrison also shared how the crew has come together in a short space of time, with the goal for this week being to execute a game plan focusing on being efficient and effective with each stroke. We cannot wait to see what they have in store for us!

After a memorable World Cup 3 loss to GB still top of mind for our Men's Four they will be coming out with a fire in the belly and looking to win it all this week. The NSW trio of Spencer Turrin OAM (SRC) , Jack Hargreaves OAM (SUBC) and Alexander Purnell OAM (SUBC) will be looking to put on a show with the heat 8:35 PM Monday night. The big question however is, has Spencer shaved the beard?!

Tuesday is the first time we will get a glimpse of our 3x Paralympic Games Erik Horrie in action. Erik will be as determined as ever to get back on that podium and inspire another generation of Para athletes. Catch in at 5:50 PM Tuesday.

The Women's Quad will be looking to claw their way into the A Final this week and avoid having to go the Final Qualification regatta. This however did prove to be the recipe for success in 2021! With Tokyo Bronze Medalists Harriot Hudson (SRC) and Rowena Meredith (SUBC) back again with new addition Kathryn Rowan hoping to make the A Final and qualify for the Olympics.

A whirlwind past 12 months which keeps getting better for Laura Gourley (UTS). After her first taste of international experience at U23 last year, making the A Final of the Women's Single Scull Laura will be soaking up all the experience of her doubles partner Amanda Bateman with the goal of chasing a medal this week. The campaign gets underway for them on Monday night at 7:32 PM.

Some brilliant racing at World Cup 2 and 3 will give Sarah Hawe and the Women's Four plenty of confidence to walk away with a medal this week. With what will hopefully be an thrilling Final with GB and Romania all in the hunt for Gold.

There is no easy race in the Eights with the Aussies right next to the USA first up. We will have to way a few days before we get the crew in action coming up on Tuesday at 9:33 PM. The crew won't be lacking any confidence however after a sublime row at World Cup 3. With the same crew racing this week it will bed by Kendall Brodie (SRC), Josh Hicks (SRC),
Paddy Holt (UTS), Tim Masters (UTS), Jack O'Brien (SUBC).

The last crew to kick off their World Championships getting underway on Tuesday night at 9:40 PM is the Women's Eight. Georgina Rowe (UTS) and Georgie Gleeson (SUBC) are back with plenty of positive vibes as they look to push for a medal. After a victory at World Cup 2 it will be intriguing to see what the rest of the field looks like.

Olympic Qualifications Spots from World Championship
Eight: 5
Quad/ Four: 7
Single: 9
HW Double/Pair: 11
LW Double: 7
PR3Mix4+: 6
PR1M1x: 7