York rower Tom Ransley in bid to top ratings (From York Press)

York rower Tom Ransley in bid to top ratings

11:26am Thursday 25th August 2011 in Rowing

YORK rower Tom Ransley is plotting to rule the world.

The University of York graduate is primed to compete in the World Rowing Championships this weekend in Slovenia.

Ransley, aged 25, is part of the Great Britain men’s eight crew, hoping to come away with the gold medal.

Said Ransley: “We’ve medalled at all the world cups and defeated Australia at the Henley Royal Regatta. But we are still not satisfied.”

This drive and determination is typified by the rest of Ransley’s team, which includes 2008 Olympic silver medallist Alex Partridge and the 1992 Olympic champion Greg Searle, who continues his comeback in the sport.

The World Rowing Championships are an Olympic qualifying event which allows countries participating to qualify boats, not crews. Their crews can interchange between now and next summer’s Games.

The boats will have to finish 11th or better depending on their category at this competition to have any hope of making the London Olympiad.

Ransley will row on the opening day of the competition in Bled.

The Great Britain team has a final chance to qualify boats at a regatta in Lucerne between May 20 and 23 next year. Qualification is available in each of the 14 boat classes.