Great Britain had its best ever result at the World Beach Sprint Finals last weekend in Genoa, with three golds and one silver. The team finished second in the medal table, missing out to the United States. The performance will certainly have boosted the sport’s profile following the Paris Olympic Games and entering the LA Olympic cycle, where coastal rowing will make its Olympic debut.
The event was turbulent, with several races cancelled due to weather conditions and time limitations, something any coastal rower will be more than familiar with.
This year’s GB squad featured several returning faces. Leah Saunders returned for her second year in the team, improving on last year’s silver medal in the U19 women’s double to take gold in the mixed double. Her partner Sol Chamberlain-Hyde’s stunning sprint finish helped them defeat Australia by 0.53 seconds.
Returner Clare Jamison also improved on last year’s success, upgrading a quarterfinal knockout in 2023 to a silver in the women’s coastal single. Jamison once again proved a formidable competitor on the international coastal stage.
Natacha Searson moved from the quad to the PR3 Mixed double for this year’s event. And the switch certainly paid off, with Searson picking up a gold. At just 21, Searson certainly has a bright future ahead of her.
GB’s gold in the quad demonstrated a consistent approach under coach James Walker and coxswain Ryan Glymond, who have been steering the quad project since 2022. Having been knocked out in the first knockout round in 2022 and 2023, the two came to play in Genoa with a new team: three-time GB coastal sculler and Olympian Charles Cousins; coastal newcomer Cameron Buchan; fellow Scot Heather Gordon; and 2022 returner Rosa Thomson.
Beach sprints is set to make its Commonwealth debut in 2026. After Victoria, Australia, turbulently withdrew from hosting, it has been confirmed that Glasgow will play host to the sporting spectacle.
With discussion regarding strategy for Los Angeles 2028 and the accessibility provided by beach sprints, there is much more to come from GB’s beach sprint teams over the coming months.
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