With HRR in the rear-view mirror, attention now turns to our international athletes as they prepare to take on the upcoming World Championships.
First up is the U23 team as they head to Poznan, Poland for the U23 World Championships from the 23–27 July. This year Great Britain will be sending a team where almost half of the athletes will be earning their first vest. After a successful 2024 Worlds campaign, the rest of the world will be looking to knock British crews off the top spot.
Leander continues to have a presence of athletes at these World Championships, and we are proud to have a total of 17 athletes represent Great Britain, 1 for South Africa, 1 for Spain and 1 for Switzerland.
In the British men’s eight is Josh Brangan, Cameron Beyki, Harry Geffen, Ben Mead and Cameron Tasker. Racing in the women’s eight is Lilly Wood, Ailish Harkin, Abigail Dawson, Alice Baker and Nikita Jacobs. Great Britain won Gold in both eights at last year’s Worlds in Canada and they will be looking to repeat this in Poznan.
Completing the men’s sweep team, Alex Perkins will race in the coxless four and Theo Bell will be lining up in the men’s pair.
Ellie Kate Hutchinson and Imogen Cabot, fresh from winning NCAAs for Yale, will be looking to take victory again in the women’s four. Texas Longhorns athlete Rhiannon Luke will race the women’s pair.
Leander has two male scullers also racing for Great Britain. Elliot Donovan-Davies will sit in the men’s quad whilst ex junior Nat Gauden will race in the men’s double.
Throughout the year, Leander coaches have been privileged to work with other international athletes who see Leander as an integral part of their development into their respective international teams. Gap year athlete Dani Pryce-Hughes will represent South Africa in the women’s single sculls. Olivia Del-Castillo races in the Spanish women’s four. Male gap year athlete William McClean will be the spare for Switzerland.
Ross Hunter, Women’s Chief Coach said: “As a club we couldn’t be prouder of these athletes and their selections. It is always a privilege to represent your country and the work that these young individuals have put in is nothing short of incredible. We look forward to watching and cheering them on from Leander in the coming weeks.”
