Image Credit: robert_rowing_photos
This week, German rowing history will be made. On 1 February 2026, the NWRV Indoor Cup will celebrate its 30th anniversary and simultaneously transform into the 1st German RP3 Open. It is a bold step away from static ergometer rowing towards dynamic movement that comes much closer to the feeling of being on the water. The venue is none other than ‘Germany’s No. 1 ergometer temple,’ the sports hall of the Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium in Essen-Kettwig. After extensive renovations, the hall will once again provide the stage for this important event in the rowing calendar of North Rhine-Westphalia. With a light show, DJ and live stream, everything is set for a weekend that will also bring international flair to North Rhine-Westphalia thanks to the new partnership with RP3.
The Junior B (JM 1x B) category promises to be particularly dynamic this year. This age group is traditionally volatile, with young athletes undergoing significant physical development. As the majority of the starters did not compete in last year’s German Indoor Championships, the race is sure to hold a few surprises.
Maximilian Elbracht (Bonner RG)
He goes into this race as the clear favourite. With a best time of 5:06.9 over 1500m, Maximilian Elbracht holds the fastest mark of all the returnees from last year. In addition, as a rower in his second B year, he has completed the physical development necessary to seriously attack the magical 5-minute barrier. His experience on the water – including a final appearance at the German Championships in the JM 4x+ B – will help tactically, which is very helpful in live events. If he can maintain the form he showed at the winter training camp, he will be very difficult to beat.
Florian Schulte-Kump (RV Waltrop)
This athlete also competed in the finals at the 2025 DJM. In the JM eight B, he and his teammates finished fifth. In addition, Florian Schulte-Kump is the closest challenger to the leader, having finished 19th in the last national title competitions on the ergometer. Last year, he was only three seconds behind Maximilian Elbracht. His stamina over the middle thousand metres is particularly impressive; his second 500m split was almost identical to that of the favourite. If he has improved his sprinting ability in the last third, the battle for gold could remain open until the very last stroke.
Caspian Förster (TVK Essen)
As one of last year’s most successful lightweights, Caspian Förster brings an excellent technical foundation to the RP3. After finishing eleventh in the lightweight class, he is now entering his second B year. The additional strength he has built up over the winter will make him a serious contender for the podium. His big advantage is his consistency: his splits hardly varied from one another last year, which indicates a very high aerobic capacity.
Lars Lubisch (Essen-Werdener RC / ERRV)
Anyone betting on a dramatic final sprint should keep Lars Lubisch in mind. Last year, he finished 12th in the lightweight class, but stood out for his aggressive finish. This indicates enormous reserves of strength and great mental toughness. In the atmosphere of Kettwig, driven on by the home crowd of the ERRV, this fighting spirit could be the deciding factor in winning a medal.
Frederic Krischer (RC Hamm)
He is the ‘wild card’ in this field. As the strongest newcomer from the U15 class, Frederic Krischer has to prove that he can maintain his explosive pace over the longer 1500m distance. His start split in last year’s 1000m race was phenomenal at 1:39.2 – faster than the start of most older B juniors. The big question will be whether he can manage the extra 500m without a massive slump. If he gets his pacing right, he is a dangerous outsider for the top three.
Notable Mentions
In addition to the top favourites, there are a number of athletes who could spring a surprise. Willy Dörfler (RC Witten) and Mats Grundmann (ERRV) put in solid performances in the lightweight category last year and are now returning stronger.
Prediction
In this category, the winter training is often the deciding factor. However, I do believe that Maximilian Elbracht is physically too strong and mentally too stable to let victory slip away. I expect him to finish well under 5:05. Behind him, it will be a close battle between Florian Schulte-Kump and Caspian Förster.
My prediction for the podium:
1. Maximilian Elbracht
2. Florian Schulte-Kump
3. Caspian Förster
