Barras sets sights on making Olympic debut in Tokyo

Nearing the end of his first season in the senior British Rowing ranks, Barras has set his sights on making his Olympic debut in Japan, and the success of his 2017 campaign has seen him take a giant leap towards that goal.

The 23-year-old won the Boston senior trials before going on to win World Cup bronze in the men's quad in Belgrade - his first senior race.

At the World Cup II in Poznan, he recorded a fifth-place finish in the single scull, and will line up at this week's World Championships in Sarasota in the same boat.

But Barras is refusing to rest on his laurels - Tokyo is his main motivation yet he knows how important a good performance in the sunshine state will be.

"The ultimate goal is the Olympics," he said.

"The three years leading up to it now is all about learning and experience and making sure that you can perform at your best on the day of the Olympic final.

"For me that is the be all and end all and weeks like this are vital; putting in performances at major championships to ensure you learn, develop and are given future opportunities down the line."

In his opening heat in Florida, Barras will line up alongside World Cup winner Robbie Manson as well as home favourite Michael Clougher.

But Barras is not shy about his achievements so far, and is relishing the opportunity to challenge some of the very best rowers on the planet.

"I've had a good first season and in truth I've surprised myself with it," he said.

"I had a fantastic result in the single in Poznan World Cup and really proved the speeds and the performances I'm capable of and beating Olympic finalists in doing so – that was a hugely motivating regatta for me.

"When I first came into the seniors I thought it was going to be really tough from day one but the coaches built us into the programme really well.

"What we do now as a normal week would have been that huge shock to the system last year and that's really helped me cope with the step up. I've shocked myself in that regards and there's no doubt that's down to the programmes created for me."

Sportsbeat 2017