Grainger to fly solo in 2009

TRIPLE Olympic silver medallist Katherine Grainger will go it alone in 2009 as she steps her bid for elusive gold at London 2012.

LONE GRAINGER: GB's Katherine Grainger to go it alone in the single scull in 2009 (Getty Images)

The 33-year-old has been named in the single scull as Great Britain prepare to launch their bid for a third consecutive overall World Cup victory this summer.

Grainger secured her eighth win at the GB Rowing Senior Trials earlier this month but is yet to compete on the international stage in the event.

"The single will be a huge challenge and I'll really miss the camaraderie of the crew boats," said Grainger.

"But I'm excited about trying something different for now and testing myself in various ways.

"One of the things I really enjoy is the team element and the thought of going in to the next race with no-one to prepare with is quite tough.

"But I thought I'd give it a go, although I don't have to make a firm commitment."

Grainger had been a member of the quadruple sculls crew that captured silver in Beijing last summer, along with Debbie Flood, Annie Vernon and Frances Houghton.  

Both Houghton and Vernon have decided to take extended leaves of absence while they mull over their futures, leading selectors to opt for Vernon and Anna Bebington in the double scull.

Grainger, who will be 36 by the time London stages the Olympics, has already stated her desire to continue until 2012, in a bid to secure the gold medal that continues to elude her.

With Rowing GB notorious for sticking to their guns in terms of selection, Grainger is likely to stay in the single scull until this August's World Championships in Poland.

Eleswhere Olivia Whitlam and Louisa Reeve will continue in the pair, having impressed at the Beijing Olympics, coming fifth in the final, despite her late call-up.

And Hester Goodsell and Sophie Hosking have been selected for the lightweight double scull.

"We have an interesting season ahead", said GB Performance Director David Tanner. "It will be one of rebuilding - one in which we will try new things, giving the chance for our best Olympians to find new challenges and for newcomers to make their mark at the start of the new Olympiad."