Hard work ahead before 2012 Olympics - Jessica Eddie

Great Britain rower Jess Eddie says the hard work for the 2012 Olympics is yet to come, despite securing qualification at August's World Championships.

The women's eight crew won bronze in Bled to book the boat's berth, although individual team places are to be earned over the rest of the season.

"Now we have qualified, the way our selection works is that it's open," Durham-born Eddie told BBC Look North.

"Anyone can come and take me on for my seat, which is how it should be."

The University of London Boat Club athlete added: "It's going to be an intense year, with about 12 girls trying to fit into eight seats."

Eddie, who turns 27 on Friday, was a member of the Great Britain eight squad that finished fifth at Beijing in 2008, an experience that could be crucial over the season ahead.

"It was amazing, the most amazing thing I've ever done, and bigger and better than anyone tells you," Eddie continued.

"But when it comes to racing, it's any bit of water, any bit of lake, and everyone is putting in the same effort to go over the line as fast as they can, it's everything around it that makes it so big.

"It will help that I've been before, I know what to expect, I know what this year is going to be like trialing for the Olympics, but I'm just as hungry as ever to get there and do really well."

As well as winning silver with Great Britain at the 2011 Worlds, Eddie also picked up silver at the Munich World Cup and finished four at Lucerne with the women's eight.