Record entry for 2008 World Rowing Under 23 Championships

This is the highest athlete participation in this event since it acquired World Rowing Championship status in 2005.

The spread of nations is growing every year, with a total of 54 nations competing in 2008, two up on the 52-nation total of 2007. The German team will be sure to satisfy the home crowd with 20 crews, one in every event. The Italians will also bring a large contingent of 18 crews and 51 athletes, and the USA, travelling from further afield, will enter 14 crews.

As is usually the case, the single scull events have the highest number of entries. The men's single features the most with 29, so the top 24 scullers from the heats will progress through the quarterfinal round to the semi-finals and then the finals on Sunday 20 July. The lightweight men's single and lightweight women's single have 24 and 23 entries respectively which will make for exciting racing. The lightweight men's double, one of the more fiercely contested Olympic boat classes, also has a large entry of 22 boats.

Thanks to the support of the Organising Committee and rowing clubs in the region, a number of nations including Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova, will participate in a development programme pre-event training camp and will receive accommodation and equipment support for the regatta.

As the premiere competition for Under 23 or "Senior B" rowers, this regatta was established back in 1976 with the goal of providing a stepping stone to the elite level for young rowers. Initially it was called the Match des Séniors, then became the Nations Cup in 1992 and finally took on full FISA World Championship status in 2005.

The regatta begins with the heats on Thursday 17 July and will run for four days, with the A Finals being raced on Sunday 20 July.

Click here for full entries, start lists and the latest timetable. As usual, www.worldrowing.com will feature full race reports, live audio streaming, live results and a photo gallery during the event.