Image Credit: World Rowing
Entries: 18
With three gold medals across the three sweep events they entered last year, the women’s squad from Great Britain carries a weight of expectation into Poznan this week. This event, the narrowest of their wins in Canada, has been loaded with a phenomenal roster of talent this year. Jessica Martin returns from last year’s crew, while Ellie-Kate Hutchinson comes in from the world champion eight. Then, you add Madeleine Greenstock, who won a team national title in her first year at Stanford, and Imogen Cabot, who was in the four-seat of the Yale crew that claimed the first varsity eight event at the NCAA Championships. Putting together these phenomenal talents, this crew will have high expectations and the pace to live up to them.
New Zealand returns just one athlete from last year’s silver medallist crew as Madeleine Parker remains in the three-seat. Joining her is University of Washington teammate Zola Kemp, who races in the trademark black for the first time since her 2023 junior campaign. A collection of the top athletes from the significant Kiwi contingent in the United States, the crew is rounded out by Nicole Campbell and Meg Flanagan, both of the Tennessee first eight. Pulling from two elite university programmes, this will again be a strong crew as they aim to fly the flag among a small New Zealand entry in Poznan this week.
After winning their third successive bronze medal in this event, the Australian selectors have sent their top young domestic talents to this crew. Remy McKay and Laura Sypher won the gold as a U23 pair in March’s national championship and are joined by fellow New South Welshwoman Olivia Nattey, while Victorian Zara Lavery breaks up the Sydney dominance. A crew named in April, they have the advantage of significant time together compared to the shorter-term projects they will line up against. This unique dynamic may play into their hand as they seek to upset their more internationally renowned rivals.
After finishing third and fourth across their sweep squad last year, the French return with a similar group, slightly retooled across the pair and the four. Two members of the fourth-placed four move into the pair, while Hezekia Peron and Maelys Dournaux remain. Joining them is Fleur Vaucoret, who won bronze in the pair last year to add to her junior world championship from 2021. Rounding out the lineup is Mya Bosquet, who made her first senior national team at this year’s European Rowing Championships. This lineup is powerful and a statement of intent from the French federation as they continue to build the young core of their squad.
Following the removal of the coxed four from the programme at the age group championships, the United States have changed their selection for the coxless event. In the past, this has been a ‘trials’ boat where one particular group has run independently, with various levels of success. For instance, in 2022, a crew of four Texas Longhorns took home the gold medal, while in 2023, a composite finished tenth overall.
This year, they have transitioned to a camp model, where the top talents have been brought together to select the best possible crew. From that mix, this crew has emerged, led by Sarah Trowbridge, who brings a crew with athletes from Texas, Stanford and Princeton, including two former junior world champions. They hope the new selection format will allow them to replicate that success.
The Romanian crew also boasts a high level of junior pedigree, none more so than Gabriela Tivodariu. Winner of the pair at the last two U19 World Rowing Championships, in 2024 she doubled up into the eight, earning a rare third gold medal at those championships. This year, she steps up to the U23 ranks and will race in this strong crew. Joining her is Iulica-Maria Ursu, her pairs partner in 2024, plus two experienced athletes at the U23 level, with Daria-Ioana Dinulescu making her senior debut this year. This crew, like many others in this event, appears to be the jewel in the national entry, but the Romanian selectors will be hoping this lineup can get to the front of what is likely to be a tight field.
In terms of experience at the junior level, no one in this field can match Italy’s Giulia Clerici. The Oregon State athlete won three medals as a coxswain across two championships before racing twice as a rower herself – a silver medal in the single being a highlight. Moving up to U23, she has earned several medals as a lightweight but will make her openweight debut this week. Joining her are Giorgia Sciattella and Susanna Pedrola, both former junior medallists, plus Sofia Anastasia Ascalone, who made her international debut last year in the eight. This crew provides an interesting outlook as they have significant previous experience but are yet to stand out at this level truly. They will be looking to change that in Poznan.
The Spanish entry is intriguing, as they provide a mixture of experience and new blood. Aina Arteman Castaner and Olivia Del Castillo return from last year’s crew, having made their senior debuts at this spring’s European Championship. They complement that core with some US imports. Emma Alimbau Borras won silver in pair last year and will row next season at the University of Virginia, while Isabel Llabres Diaz will make her international debut for Spain, having spent her junior years at St Edward’s School before enrolling at Harvard University. Together, they could have a range of outcomes, from fighting in the A-final to being caught in what is sure to be a tight middle of the field.
Predictions
Following their triple crown last year, all eyes will be on the British crews this week. I would be surprised if they could repeat that feat, but with the talent in the four, they are my pick for gold.
