Image Credit: World Rowing
As one quadrennial comes to a close, the rowing world often turns its focus to the emerging stories: who will continue to reign, and who will emerge as the crew to beat in the next Olympiad? Paris 2024 provided thrilling racing, and there’s no doubt that the level of competition will only intensify leading into LA 2028. With a new cycle beginning, this is a prime opportunity for emerging athletes to make their mark in new boat classes while established names aim to extend their dominance. Here are some of the key women’s sculling crews to watch over the next four years:
Karolien Florijn – Single Scull
Karolien Florijn’s transition from the silver medal-winning women’s four in Tokyo to the notoriously tricky single scull (W1x) has been spectacular. Unbeaten in every race since making the switch, Florijn enters the new quadrennial as a clear front runner. Known for her aggressive pacing and ability to take an early lead, the change to a 1500m format will suit her well. In the past two years, Florijn has also ventured into coastal rowing, competing in beach sprints and long-distance coastal races. It will be fascinating to see whether she focuses solely on the single, or if she decides to pivot towards coastal racing for the LA 2028 cycle. One thing is certain: wherever Florijn races, she will be a force to be reckoned with.
Lauren Henry – Single Scull
At just 22, Lauren Henry has achieved remarkable success, claiming European, World, and Olympic gold in the women’s quad. Now, Henry is looking to take on the challenge of the single. After finishing fourth twice at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the single, she joined GB’s senior quad and has expressed interest in pursuing the single again. Her recent victory at British Rowing’s Open Trials, where she won by a commanding 40 seconds, has turned heads. She followed this up with a dominant performance at the British Rowing Indoor Championships, winning the 2km erg competition. With a strong start to the new quadrennial, Henry’s potential in the single is enormous—she will be a serious contender in the years to come.
British Women’s Sculling Program
British Rowing’s sculling program has been a dominant force, bringing home medals in each of the three women’s sculling events at the Paris Olympics, including two golds in the women’s quad and lightweight women’s double. As the team moves into the new quadrennial, much will depend on which athletes decide to continue after Paris 2024, and which emerging talents will step up to the standard of senior international racing. The program is poised to build on its Paris success, with a mix of seasoned Olympians and promising newcomers like Vwaire Obukohwo. With the depth of talent in the pipeline, British women’s sculling looks set to remain at the forefront of global competition.
Swiss Women’s Quad
The Swiss Women’s Quad is a shining example of how long-term investment in a squad can yield impressive results. Built around athletes who won the U23 World Rowing Championships in 2021, the crew has since been strengthened by experienced rowers such as Pascale Walker. Three years later, the Swiss quad came agonizingly close to earning Switzerland’s first-ever medal in the women’s quad, finishing just 0.42 seconds behind third place in Paris. As talented athletes like Flavia Loetscher and Olivia Roth—who won silver at the 2024 U23 World Rowing Championships in the double—age out of the U23 ranks, it will be exciting to see how their transition to the senior squad strengthens the program even further. The Swiss women’s quad is undoubtedly on the rise and will be a formidable force in the coming years.
Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list, and with a new quadrennial comes the opportunity for countries to enter the spotlight. A new quadrennial is always exciting, and we cannot wait for World Rowing Cup racing to return.
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