Surbiton's Sbihi has unfinished business (From Croydon Guardian)

Surbiton's Sbihi has unfinished business

4:52pm Tuesday 13th March 2012 in Sport

Surbiton’s Moe Sbihi may be among the country’s top 10 rowers, but he isn’t counting his chickens over Olympic selection just yet.

The 23-year-old Molesey Boat Club star finished fifth in the men’s pairs – with clubmate James Foad – at the Team GB trials at Eton Dorney on Sunday, behind winners Molesey skipper Andrew Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed.

There are 18 rowers battling for 14 places in the men’s heavyweight sweep squad this summer and chief men’s coach Jurgen Grobler was given further food for thought at the weekend.

The final GB squad isdecided on April 4 after the coaches have tried the athletes in different combinations – although the weekend’s racing plays an important part in the selection process.

Sbihi enjoyed success in the men’s eight in 2011, with silver at the World Championships in Bled in September.

But he admitted there is a long way to go to realise his London 2012 dream, although racing at the Olympic venue had given him a taste for more.

“It was a great weekend and I’m happy to be in the top five in Olympic year, which puts me firml – if we do it on numbers solely – in the Olympic squad, but nothing is guaranteed yet,” he said.

“Normally we have trials in Belgium and last year here it was empty – just friends and family – so it was great to see so many people.

“You hear the roar. I just can’t imagine what it is going to be like in five months time.”