We are on the eve of the most important competition in international rowing since Olympic champions were anointed on the waters of the Lagoa in 2016. With the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Linz, Austria acting as the main qualification event for the 2020 Olympic Games – and painfully few slots available for Tokyo – every team will be fighting tooth and nail to claim their tickets.
For the first time in decades, there is not a single event with a clear favourite. Gone are the days of total dominance by the likes of the GB four or the Kiwi pair. Across the board, it’s all to play for. So we asked World Rowing commentator Sarah Cook for a form guide. Turn to page 28 for Cook’s top tips on who to watch in Linz.