Wrexham woman in rowing world cup team

The Great British rowing team has been announced for the first world cup in Slovenia 2010 and includes Wrexham's own Victoria Thornley.

She won gold in 2009's World Rowing Under twenty-three Championships and came fourth in Great Britain's Rowing team senior trials earlier this year but has now been given the chance to compete in Bled, Slovenia with her fellor rowers. Victoria says: "I'm just so pleased to be named this time round. This is my first time in the senior team and I'm just over the moon with it really."

Joining her will be Katherine Grainger, three time Olympic silver medalist who will be racing a double skull with Anna Watkins who has won both world and Olympic medals in the category. They also plan to race the quadruple skull with Annabel Vernon and Beth Rodford with an aim to win Britain's second double skull for Bled.

Three women's pairs have been selected including 2008 Olympians Louisa Reeve and Olivia Whitlam, who won the 2010 Great British Rowing Team Senior Trials as well as gold medalist Heather Stanning who is paired with Helen Glover. The more established Jess Eddie and Alison Knowles will make up the third pair.

Great Britain's Rowing Team performance Director David Tanner says:

 "We have an interesting season ahead with early season world cups but a World Championships in early November in  New Zealand. The rowers are raring to go after a long winter of training. They will also get the chance in Bled to familiarise themselves with the 2011 World Championships venue where the 2010 Olympic qualifying process will begin."

The race will be over the weekend of May 28-30th.