Britain picks strongest ever line-up for world rowing championships

With five Olympic champions and a further nine medallists on board, British Rowing has selected its strongest ever team to compete in this year's world championships on New Zealand's Lake Karapiro. The two most recognisable personalities are both veteran rowers on the 2012 gold medal trail. The 34-year-old Scot, Katherine Grainger, goes in the double scull, while the 38-year-old Greg Searle, who famously won Olympic gold in 1992 with his brother Jonny – will race in the eight. Expectations for the team are high, with the capacity for them to improve on the six medals they won at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The performance director, David Tanner, underlined this when he said: "The next 11 months are a crucial part of the Olympic cycle. We go to New Zealand with strength in depth." The championships are being held later than usual, with the finals from 4-7 November.