Olympian Alex Partridge eyes World Championship gold
Last updated on .From the section Rowing
Oxford-based Olympic rower Alex Partridge has set his sights on winning Great Britain's first ever men's eight gold at the World Championships.
Partridge, 30, won silver in the men's eight at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and will compete at the event in Bled, Slovenia, on 28 August.
"The aim is to be the first British men's eight to win the World Championships," he told BBC Berkshire.
"It's to build on what we did last year and take it a step further."
Partridge competed in the men's four in the Championships at Lake Karapiro in New Zealand last season, alongside crewmates Ric Egington, Alex Gregory and Matt Langridge.
Despite being favourites they came a disappointing fourth but the men's eight team, including Olympian Greg Searle, won silver.
However, with qualification for London 2012 taking place this summer, Partridge says the British rowing squad, who train in Caversham in Berkshire, are in a strong position to challenge for medals.
"This Olympia has been different for me more than any other, it's been led from the top by [British rowing coach] Jurgen Grobler," added Partridge.
"He's constantly talking about the team and about six medals, that's the big dream for him and that's the big dream for us.
"In the past it was never an option but now we're in a position where we can win a medal in most events and it's a privilege.
"The rest of the world aren't going to lie down and let us do that but it's great that we got ourselves in this shape and now we have to go and deliver the goods."
