Porchier to miss Munich after Injury

The Olympic champion French lightweight men’s coxless four is to be without their bowman, Laurent Porchier, for the Munich regatta of the Zurich Rowing World Cup after he was hurt in a training collision.

Porchier suffered rib injuries when his boat collided with another in French training at Lac de Vouglon.

He will be replaced at Munich by lightweight double sculls Olympic bronze medallist Pascal Touron.

Porchier’s injury has added a touch of intrigue to the lightweight men’s coxless four in Munich.

With the World Cup leaders Denmark adapting to a new rower after the retirement of Thomas Poulsen last month, the French had been the favourites to win.

But Porchier’s injury means the field is levelled again, although Touron is an able replacement.

Touron’s call-up to the number one four means France will only be able to race one four at Munich. It had been planning to race two in preparation for rowing a lightweight eight at the World Championship.