Rowing: Vicky Thornley 'happy' at World Cup selection
Last updated on .From the section Wales
Welsh rower Vicky Thornley is relishing the World Championships after being named in the Great Britain team.
The 27-year-old from St Asaph partners Olympic champion Katherine Grainger in the double sculls in Savoie, France from 30 August to 6 September.
The pair have already claimed European and World Cup bronze medals in 2015.
"It's never a guarantee so I was happy to know we were going forward in the doubles to the World Championships," said Thornley.
The bronze in the European Championships was the first time Grainger and Thornley had raced together.
Scot Grainger, 39, retired after winning gold at London 2012, but returned to racing this year in a bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Thornley describes their season as being a bit up and down, but said things are looking positive in the build-up to the Olympics.
"We've had some positive results and know we can improve a lot over the next six weeks, but it's a step on the way to Rio.
"The three years leading up [to the Olympics] is about stepping stones, but equally we want to be winning.
"Rio is in the background a bit and the next period is about how we can finish this season off. Hopefully that will give us a good platform to start the Olympic year next season."
Thornley finished fifth in London 2012 in the women's eight, and says she cannot afford to take selection for granted before 2016.
"We have to re-trial every year and you have to prove that you're all the best and should be in that crew year on year," she said.
"Next winter won't be any different, but if we get a good result in the doubles [at the World Championships] this year then it will put us in good stead as a good combination who could do well at the Olympics."
