For British Rowers, the Road to Athens is Via Lincolnshire

Britain’s leading rowers face their first hurdle on the road to Athens next weekend (13 December) when they compete at the second British Assessment Trials in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Hundreds of rowers in various categories are due to take part from the established stars to future Olympic hopefuls.

The course is 5km long – over twice the Olympic distance. The landscape is bleak. The weather is likely to be raw. The contrast with Athens could not be sharper.

“This is rowing in its most stripped down form”, said British performance Director David Tanner. “Every year we return to Boston to assess fitness and potential at the mid-way point of winter training.

“Results will be taken into account when choosing whom to invite to our final GB National Team Trials next April”.

All leading rowers must attend the Trials, which take place in single sculls.

Many eyes will focus on the senior men’s sweep squad. The battle for places in the leading men’s boats will be played out over the coming months under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Jurgen Grobler.

Ed Coode, winner of a bronze medal in the eight at last year’s World Championships and fourth in the men’s pair at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, is anxious to stake his claim. Britain’s Olympic gold medallists James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent, sponsored by Camelot, are also involved.

Britain’s leading women will be there and racing in singles following their recent sculling camp in Spain. Although world champion Katherine Grainger will not race ? she is currently in full training but away from the boat to rest a niggling back injury – her partner in winning world gold, Cath Bishop, and the athletes from the world 4th-placed double and quadruple scull will be vying for positions in this highly competitive squad.