Image Credit: World Rowing
After the Olympic Games, the rowing world can take a deep breath. However, it can’t be held for long as the ‘Mega Worlds’ heads to St Catharines, Canada. Between 18th – 23rd August, the U23 Championships will combine with U19s and the senior events not contested in Paris. The eyes of the sport head west to Ontario and amongst the competitors we’ll find the next generation of talent lining up on a start line in Los Angeles and Brisbane.
Poland
Let’s start with the reigning world champions from Poland. Two of those four – Martyna Jankowska and Weronika Ludwiczak – are back to defend their title. Since then, Jankowska has gone on to race at the senior world championships, but she’s not the only one with senior experience in the boat. The two returners are teaming up with Julia Hakobyan, who placed fifth at this year’s European championships in this very boat class and Kinga Stalega who’s raced in the four at the Euros, Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, and World Rowing Cup III
Great Britain
Packed with experience, this British quartet is a fascinating one. The bow pair are Arianna Forde and Grace Richards who led Oxford Brookes to a historic win in the Remenham Challenge Cup this year. They were also in last year’s U23 eight that placed an agonising fourth place behind the Canadians. Speaking of fourth places, Philipa Emery is the sole returner from last year’s four. The Leander club athlete is joined by the University of London’s Jess Martin who strokes the boat in her international debut.
Australia
After a poor Olympic regatta, Australia will be looking to their youngsters for some golden memories this summer. Rebecca Pretorius will be hoping to improve on last year’s bronze medal in this boat and she’s joined by some serious firepower to do so. After two years away from international duty, Isabella Scammell is back. The Aussie last raced in the coxed four, winning the world championships in 2022. Also back after a two-year hiatus is Genevieve Hart, bronze medalist in this boat class. This exciting trio could be serious contenders for the gold, meaning newcomer Caitlin McManus-Barrett is up for one epic ride in the bows.
Canada
Racing on home water, Canada will be tough to beat in St Catharines. It’s quite the melting pot that has come together to form this crew with scullers – Canadian debutants, and recently promoted junior internationals all coming together to take on the world. Lyndsey Bryden is the only athlete who’s raced at the U23s and she won a bronze at last year’s championships in the eight.
Germany
There’s a trend through these fours of just one athlete returning to race in this boat class and Germany are no different. Malou Wollenhaupt picks up the returner’s gauntlet. While Klara Kerstan is more used to international eights, her firepower will pay dividends for this quartet. The last time Kerstan raced was to an eighth-placed finish at the 2023 world championships. Speaking of eights, 2019 junior silver medallist Mathilda Kitzmann is set to race for Germany for the first time in five years.
Prediction
I’d love to see the British pushing for one of the top two positions but they’ll be in a scuffle with Australia and Poland I reckon, with the Aussies prevailing…just…
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