Cover image: World Rowing / Benedict Tufnell
2022 Champions: Antonio Vicino, Alessandro Benzoni, Niels Torre, Niels Torre (Italy)
Entries: 3
Just three entries – Italy, Germany and the USA. One can’t help but feel that lightweight rowing is on its last legs as a World Championship class – outside of the singles and the (currently) Olympic class doubles, the lightweight entries this year are very low (three in the LM4X, four in the LM2-, three in the LW2- and none in the LW4X). It is one of the big questions for World Rowing at the moment. With events like the Lightweight doubles losing their Olympic spot after Paris what is the future for Lightweight rowing in the sport…but that’s a debate for another time…..back to the LM4X
This event has only been raced once so far this season, in Varese, and Italy ran out winners on their home water. They have a mix of youth and experience, with the crew being led by the veteran Pietro Ruta; he’s a three-time Olympian and former World and European medalist and was in the light double that won silver at the 2022 World Championships. He’s joined by 2022 BLM4X World Champion Matteo Tonelli and also Luca Borgonovo and Nicolo’ Demiliani, who were in the BLM2X at this year’s U23’s.
Germany’s crew includes Joachim Agne who was World Champion in this event back in 2018. He’s joined by 2021 BLM1x World Champion Fabio Kress along with Simon Klueter and Max Von Buelow. Klueter, Agne and Kress were in the crew that won bronze last year. In Varese this crew (with Arno Gaus instead of Von Buelow) finished in silver behind the Italians in Varese.
The USA has a new crew racing in Belgrade. This boat includes former GB international Jamie Copus, who, after GB announced they will no longer be funding a men’s lightweight team, used his dual citizenship to transfer to the USA. He made his debut for the Stars and Stripes in Varese, finishing ninth in the LM1X. He’s joined by Bernard Aparicio, who makes his international debut in Belgrade, Casey Howshall (who raced on the U23 team in 2017) and Ian Richardson, the sole remaining crew member from the boat that finished fifth of the 5 entries in 2022.
Predictions: Italy in gold with Germany in silver and the USA third.
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