Rowing - Poznan countdown begins

The 2009 Rowing World Championships begins on Sunday in Poznan, Poland and after a phenomenal season, there are cautious expectations of a good performance - particularly in the small boats.

New Zealand has one of its biggest teams for years and includes the straight four who recently won the World Under 23 title in Racice in the Czech Republic.

New Zealand crews:

Men's Single Scull - Mahe Drysdale
Men's Lightweight Single Scull - Duncan Grant
Women's Single Scull - Emma Twigg
Adaptive Single - Robin Tinga
Men's Double Scull - Matthew Trott, Nathan Cohen
Women's Double Scull - Anna Reymer, Paula Twining
Men's Pair - Eric Murray, Hamish Bond
Women's Pair - Emma Feathery, Rebecca Scown
Men's Lightweight Double Scull - Peter Taylor, Storm Uru
Women's Quad Scull - Genevieve Armstrong, Louise Trappit, Sarah Barnes, Harriet Austin
Men's Lightweight Four - James Lassche, Richard Beaumont, Todd Petherick, Graham Oberlin-Brown
Men's Straight Four - Jade Uru, Simon Watson, Hamish Burson, Tyson Williams

Coverage of Day One of the finals from the World Champs will now be shown as highlights on Sunday 30th August at midday on SkySports 1. Day 2 of the finals are LIVE from 9.30pm on SkySports 1.