Ireland's top medal hopes at the World Rowing Championships for non-Olympic events, which begin today in Zagreb, Croatia, have been given tough draws.

Lightweight single sculler Sinead Jennings, who won two silver medals and a bronze at the World Cup regattas this year, must face one of her main rivals, Germany's Angelika Brand, in this morning's heat with only the winner going straight into the semi-finals.

Sam Lynch, who won gold at the last World Cup regatta at Lucerne, faces into a heat which features scullers from host country Croatia, Slovenia, Chile and the United States. Again, only one will go straight into the semi-finals, with the rest facing into repechages and a programme of four races if they reach the final. Ireland's other representatives, the women's and men's lightweight quadruple sculls, have four-boat heats with three advancing to the semi-finals.