Surbiton’s rower Mo Sbihi says earning Olympic 2012 qualification is the priority at next week’s World Championships in Slovenia.

The 24-year-old Molesey Boat Club star goes in the men’s eight – alongside clubmates James Foad, Cameron Nichol and Greg Searle – knowing a top seven placing in Bled will see them en route to London.

Molesey skipper Andrew Triggs-Hodge is once again in the men's pair looking to de-throne their nemesis New Zealand crew Eric Murray and Hamish Bond.

While fellow Molesey man and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Tom James will be looking to continue the dominance of the men’s coxless four.

Team GB performance director David Tanner is hopeful of a medal-laden championships, but Sbihi believes that is a side issue compared to getting as many boats to London as possible this year.

“The aim has to be to qualify every boat so we can focus on 2012 rather than having to worry about qualifying next year,” he said.

“Hopefully, we will win some medals in the process of qualifying.”

Richmond-based 2010 world bronze medallist Alan Campbell is once again in the men’s single scull, while Wimbledon’s Sophie Hosking is in the women’s lightweight double sculls.

Putney-based London Rowing Club is well represented with Bill Lucas (men’s quadruple scull), Steph Cullen (women’s quadruple scull) and Rob Williams (men’s lightweight four) all on duty in the 68-man team.

Britain won four golds, four silvers and a bronze in the Olympic classes at the last World Championships and Tanner is expecting more of the same.

“I can assure you we have a really ambitious team. This is as good as any team we have sent to any World Championships. I’m sure we will be successful. I’m expecting some nations to step up,” he said.