Rowing: Two from Otago leave for university champs

Otago rowers Lisa Owen and Bryce Abernethy are off to the university world rowing championships in France.

Owen (23) will compete in the women's lightweight single scull, while Abernethy (20) will team up with Lincoln's James Moody in the men's lightweight double.

Both represent the Otago University club and have high expectations for the championships beginning next Friday in Gravelines.

Owen, who won bronze in the women's under-23 lightweight double scull last year, said she felt good heading into the competition.

''I am feeling really positive that I am on the right track to perform, come racing. It's hard to know what we will be up against, so I plan on taking it one race at a time. Qualifying for the A final is my first goal and then I will definitely be pushing for the title.

''New Zealand's dominance in rowing over the past few months is truly inspiring. It is a huge motivating factor, especially as we are the last international team to race this season,'' she said.

Owen, Abernethy and Woods have been training in Dunedin, Christchurch and Twizel and leave for France today.

Mosgiel's Abernethy was looking forward to his first taste of world championship rowing.

''I've never been to a world champs and it's going to be so awesome lining up against people from all over the world.

''We have, luckily, been able to have a massive build-up to our racing overseas and have done plenty of base kilometres. I feel as fit as I have ever been and everything is going according to plan,'' he said.

The world championships are open to all full time university students under 27 or those who are graduating this year.