Rowing: World Cup champ is back but Rio will be challenge

Double scull champion Zoe Stevenson (right) says the change to her new partnership with Eve Macfarlane was seamless. Photo / Christine Cornege

Zoe Stevenson is in a club of three at this weekend's World Cup regatta in Italy.

Although New Zealand are fielding a bumper collection of crews as they prepare for Rio Olympic qualifying in a couple of months, only three defending world champions are back in the same boats in which they triumphed at Amsterdam last year - Stevenson in the double scull, with new partner Eve Macfarlane, and lightweight double Julia Edward and Sophie MacKenzie.

There was a gold for the women's four last year but that boat, a non-Olympic class, is missing. Kelsey Bevan and Kayla Pratt have been placed in the eight, while Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler are in the pair.

And not forgetting Fiona Bourke, Stevenson's partner last year, who is in the single seat vacated for now by world champion Emma Twigg, who is studying in Europe this year.

Stevenson said her combination with Macfarlane - a teammate on their first New Zealand selection together in 2009 - was coming along well. It's a new combination but there are encouraging signs.

"In terms of rowing it's been quite a seamless transition," Stevenson said. "Eve has fitted in really nicely, she's such a relaxed personality and we get on really well. I haven't had to make too many huge changes to the way I do things."

The only bumpy part of the business was the moving of Bourke out of a world title-winning combination. She made her unhappiness at the selectors' decision public recently; knowing Twigg is sure to return and reclaim the single seat, she figures she may be left out in the cold next year.

Stevenson is reluctant to discuss the issue, other than to say it was a tricky situation, she's happy with the new combination and doesn't want to dwell on it, and wants to focus on getting the best out of the arrangement.

This weekend they'll get their first real gauge on progress but knowing last year's key rivals, the Lithuanians, Poles and Australians, are fielding the same crews there's no doubting the size of the challenge to come.

They train alongside Olympic and multiple world champion Mahe Drysdale on Lake Karapiro. The times of the two crews are very similar.

"He's setting a standard for us every day and if we can push ahead of him we know we're going really well. He's probably the best you could get," Stevenson said.

The duo have to finish in the top 11 in the world championships at Aiguebelette, France to qualify the boat for Rio. Short of falling into the water that won't present a problem. But Stevenson's sights are set higher. She wants to win every race this year.

"It is as simple as that. For me, being a defending world champion, I don't want to settle for anything less and the easiest way to do that is right from the get-go: win everything.

"We don't know how we'll stack up internationally, we'll find out this weekend; I've got high expectations."

Full programme

• New Zealand will contest 16 events at the second World Cup regatta of the year, at Varese, Italy, this weekend.

• Stellar men's coxless pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, unbeaten since 2009, are skipping the regatta and start their campaign in Lucerne from July 10.

• The trip concludes with the world championships in Aiguebelette, France, from August 30, which double as this year's Olympic qualifying regatta.