Great Britain aims to add four more boats for Tokyo 2020

Four GB Rowing Team boats to race at Final Olympic Qualifying Regatta in Lucerne

Great Britain has entered four boats into the 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland from 15-17 May, in a last attempt to add to its tally of ten boats already qualified for the Olympic Games this summer.

Hot on the heels of their stunning bronze medal win at the European Championships in Varese in April, Holly Nixon and Saskia Budgett are returning to the water in the women’s double (W2x).

Commenting on their selection, Saskia said: “Holly and I have been on such a journey and it means everything to us to get out there and give it our all to qualify for the Olympics. We really hope we can build on the whirlwind of my first senior regatta, where we won the bronze in Varese and secure that all important spot for the summer!”

Holly added: “We are excited and nervous about the regatta but are going in with a clear slate after the Europeans, we need to keep our heads in the job to execute our plan and see where we go from there.”

The men’s pair (M2-) of Harry Glenister and Morgan Bolding will be looking to build on their seventh place finish in the Europeans and secure Olympic qualification. Harry said: “We gained some good experience at the Europeans and finished ahead of some of the boats we expect to be racing against in Lucerne. We feel quite confident, are in really good shape and looking forward to racing.”

Racing in the men’s single sculls (M1x) in only his second senior regatta, is Matthew Haywood, who made a confident debut at the Europeans. He said: “It’s a tough competition and a strong field, the Europeans was a great event for me to gain some good experience and I’m looking forward to coming back stronger and faster and really going for it at the qualification event.”

Finally, returning to international racing after a frustrating Europeans which saw them withdraw due to injury, are the lightweight men’s double (LM2x) of Jamie Copus and Samuel Mottram. Jamie said: “We’re in a good spot at the moment, we know the task ahead will be tough with at least six crews all performing at similar speeds, but we are in as good a position as we can be and are looking forward to it. We will certainly give it everything we’ve got out in Lucerne to finish in the top two and claim that qualifying spot!”

Brendan Purcell, Director of Performance at British Rowing said: “With less than 80 days until the postponed Olympic Games, it’s a last chance for four of our crews to secure final places on the start line. Our aspiration is to have as many boats as possible on the start line in Tokyo and with the depth of talent in our squad, it will be great if we can add to that tally. Each of these four crews have learnt from their return to racing at the Europeans and we know they will try their hardest to finish in the top two at the Final Olympic Qualifying Regatta to secure those all important final Olympic places.”

GB Rowing Team 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta crews:

Women’s Double (W2x):

Holly Nixon (Leander Club) and Saskia Budgett (Tideway Scullers’ School)

Coach: Paul Reedy & Lauren Fisher

Men’s Single (M1x):  

Matthew Haywood (Nottingham RC)

Coach: Nicola Benavente

Men’s Pair (M2-): 

Harry Glenister (Leander Club) and Morgan Bolding (Oxford Brookes Univ. BC)

Coach: Steve Trapmore

Lightweight Men’s Double (LM2x):

Jamie Copus (Oxford Brookes Univ. BC) and Samuel Mottram (Leander Club)

Coach: Hamish Burrell