Don’t miss any of the action as the athletes row, row, row their boats towards world championship glory this week

2018 World Rowing Championships, Sunday 16 September, 12.30pm, BBC Two/HD (CH 102/162)

When watching the Olympic Games on telly, there’s nothing quite like browsing the plethora of events and landing on the oddly relaxing spectacle of competitive rowing. Despite the speed, power and bicep-burning strength on display, it’s one of those strangely brilliant sports that’s every bit as exhilarating as it is soothing.

And, with the annual World Championships, there’s enough oar-based action on offer to sink a ship! Great Britain, unsurprisingly, are expected to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish. But in a field packed with past, present and potential future champions, doing so will be no mean feat.

So before you go jumping into the bath in your tightest T-shirt to perfect your stroke form, read on below to find out everything you need to know before the starting claxon sounds…

Big guns

After bagging a boatload of medals last year, Italy is definitely the team to beat in 2018. As such, the revered rowing nations of Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain will be working hard to stop a repeat of Italy’s impressive nine-medal haul.

What to watch?

Olympic Gold medal winning Great Britain coxless four team

Countless weight classes and a mix of men’s and women’s events means there’s plenty of action to sink your teeth into. While all eyes will be on the coxless four events and their fast-paced displays of outright strength and speed, be sure to also check out the lower-weight class races, which frequently throw up nail-biting fights that go down to the wire.

The history books beckon

Originally held every four years, the event has been held annually since 1975, giving the squads more opportunities to write their names in the history books. The possibility of being classed alongside multiple world champions such as Steve Redgrave, Daniele Gilardoni and Katherine Grainger is a mouth-watering incentive for any professional rower.

All eyes on Plivdov

For the first time in the event’s 56-year history, Bulgaria’s Plovdiv Rowing Channel will play host to championship. Will the ice-cold Eastern European waters throw up some surprise winners, or can the old guard of Britain, Italy and Australia match expectations and continue to assert their dominance? Tune in to find out.

2018 World Rowing Championships