Cover image: World Rowing / Benedict Tufnell
You may notice that the author of this particular piece is not FatSculler. He’s taking a well-earned break after a deluge of Henley Royal Regatta-related content. We didn’t want to leave the third and final World Cup of the year without some JRN coverage though. So, I’m taking the temporary reigns and will try my best to do some justice to the magic that Dan creates every year.
Women’s Single Sculls
Entries: 30
World Cup Two Winner: Alexandra Foester, Germany
Let’s start with the World Cup leader. Alexandra Foester won at the last regatta when the circus rolled in Varese. Having conquered the U23 scene twice, she is tearing up the narrative on the senior circuit including an unbelievable win on the Rotsee last year. With Kara Kohler and the rest of the United States team choosing to miss this World Cup, Tara Rigney is the only other medalist from Varese travelling north to Switzerland. She picked up the silver medal at the previous World Cup. This World Cup is particularly exciting as we get to see the current world champion, Karolien Florijn, take to the waters. Since her transition to the single scull post Tokyo, she has been untouchable and at this regatta, either her or Foester (or both) will see their winning streaks come to a close. Speaking of champions, Switzerland is set to welcome the Olympic gold medalist with open arms. Emma Twigg won a silver medal at the World Championships last year and will be dangerous on the lake of the gods. Fresh off a win at Henley Royal Regatta, Diana Dymchencko will be looking continue momentum from the hallowed waters of the Thames. Great Britain’s entry comes in the form of Kyra Edwards. Earlier in the 2023 season she raced in the double at the European Championships, placing ninth with Meg Saunders.
Predictions: I can’t wait to see Florijn and Foester go head to head.
Women’s Pair
Entries: 19
World Cup 2 Winner: Australia
It’s been a bust couple of weeks in Europe for the Australians. After winning in Varese, they kept up their momentum by leaving the Holland Beker with another title. After ‘only’ winning the B Final in Tokyo in this boat class, Jessica Morrison and Annabelle McIntyre have grown into the pair magnificently and are the form crew in the world at the moment. Friends of The End of The Island, Ivana and Josipa have rightfully earned their seats in the Croatian pair. Fourth place at the European Championships shows they are well and truly on the rise after strong campaigns in the U23 circuit in previous years and they’ll have their sites set on another A Final. Spain have chosen to enter two boats into this field but the one to keep your eyes on is made up of Esther Briz Zamorano and Aina Cid. They are the current World Cup leaders having medalled at both regattas as well as the European Champs. Great Britain are represented by Chloe Brew and Juliette Perry. The former won the Hambleden Pairs last week and in the process beat Perry in the final. Here’s hoping the air has been cleared since then. While Romania have two entries, one of them is the reigning European Champions who rowed through the Netherlands to win the gold medal. Finally, theres’a another set of sisters racing. Antonia and Melita Abraham are racing for Chile and they’ve tasted success already this season. However, at the first World Cup they raced in the Four – lets see how they fair with two less crew mates.
Predictions: I’m biased but I’d love to see the Croatians sneak onto the podium winner wise, I’m going with Australia.
Women’s Double Sculls
Entries: 17
World Cup 2 Winner: China
Romania, where to start with the superlatives? I’m not entirely sure so I’ll just rattle off their achievements. European Champions, World Champions, Olympic Champions, and the World Rowing Women’s Crew of The Year. Did I mention the last time they didn’t win was the World Championships in 2019? China escaped Varese by the skin of the teeth after they were hunted down by an American combination that came within .07s of Shiyu Lu and Shuangmei Shen. Regardless, this Chinese crew is a class act after Lu won the World Championships in the single last year and Shen was ninth in the boat in this boat class. Lithuania are the crew who have come closest to crushing the Romanian dynasty. However, not even Dovile Rimkute and Donata Karaliene could match the speed that the Lithuanians found in the dying stages. New Zealand are sending a pair of doubles to compete in Lucerne, one of which contains 2019 World Champions and Olympic silver medalists, Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis. Both have taken time out from the sport having recently become mothers and are already right back at the top of women’s rowing.
Predictions: Romania maintain their recent success.
Women’s Four
Entries: 11
World Cup 2 Winners: United States of America
With the absence of the USA, Great Britain are the team to beat at the final World Cup. GB have picked up two silver medals this year year, the first at the Euros and then again at Varese. Last weekend, they won the Town Challenge Cup at Henley Royal, albeit against a British development boat. We’re set for a fascinating rematch from the European Championships. Romania beat GB by just over a second have been quietly training away from the international scene since then. Australia found themselves about a length or so back on GB back in Varese. It will be a tall order for the Aussies to overhaul the British but then again, they didn’t go and race in Henley. Welcome back Chile! The Chileans are back at the World Cup after a brief hiatus following their comfortable win in Zagreb.
Predictions: I’m showing my true colours and backing the British with this one.
Women’s Quad
Entries: 12
World Cup 2 Winner: China
China have continued to go from success to success with their women’s sculling programme. Their quad is currently untouchable having not lost a race since 2019, meaning they are also the current World and Olympic Champions. Watching a crew from the Netherlands scull is one of the finest pleasures the rowing world can serve up and this Dutch crew is no different. This year’s European silver medalists have bolstered their roster with the addition of European and World silver medallists, Roos de Jong and Laila Youssifou. Great Britain are creating an incredibly exciting sculling squad and we saw what they are fully capable of at last year’s European and World Championships, winning gold and bronze respectively. Last week with a different order they won the Princess Grace Challenge Cup and now they set their sights on Lucerne. Germany have been consistently in the A Final throughout 2023. Fifth place at the European Champs was followed up with a bronze medal at World Cup 2. I’m particularly excited to see how Ukraine get on. As winners of the first World Cup (yes, it was only against one other crew) and the European Championships they be looking to end the World Cup series with a bang.
Predictions: No one beats the Chinese.
Women’s Eight
Entries: 4
World Cup 2 Winner: Australia
Despite just a handful of crews this one will be tasty. Australia are entering an unchanged crew that won gold any Varese so on a technicality they are the favourites. However, Canada are adding additional firepower to their boat in the shape of Olympic gold medalist Sydney Payne. Canada also embarrassed Great Britain by nearly two lengths at Henley last week, a result the British will not let happen again, given the the Brits edged them into third place at World Cup 2. The Romanians are synonymous with success in the Women’s Eights. However, despite winning the European Championships only three of the crew are racing in the big boat alongside their cox Victoria-Stefania Petreanu.
Prediction: A battle at the summit between Australia and Canada.
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