York City Rowing Club ace Tom Ransley is chasing world glory.

The 25-year-old 6ft 5ins tall oarsman has touched down in New Zealand with the Great Britain team to put the final touches to preparations for the World Rowing Championships.

Ransley, a former University of York student, has come back from injury to earn the number seven seat in the GB men’s eight for the Lake Karapiro meet.

The Kent-born rower still represents York City Rowing Club, despite being a full-time Lottery-funded member of the GB squad based in London.

And Ransley is looking to fly the York flag in New Zealand.

He said: “My time in the city, particularly at York City Rowing Club, meant a lot to me. That’s the reason why I’m still representing the club, despite not being able to return very often.”

Having been a member of the eight which finished fifth at the 2009 World Championships in Poznan, Poland, Ransley will be eyeing a medal this time around.

A former World University Championships bronze medallist and GB Under-23s starlet, Ransley underlined his progress this year with third place in the pairs at the GB senior trials in tandem with Beijing Olympics gold medallist Tom James.

Ransley, who has twice rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race, was a member of the celebrated York crew that won the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 2007.

Great Britain have sent a 61-strong team to the championships, which take place from Saturday, October 30 to Sunday, November 7.