Image Credit: World Rowing
The 2025 season provided an exciting preview of the exhilarating racing we can expect this quadrennial. The World Rowing Championships in Shanghai featured outstanding, close-fought races that were as thrilling to watch as they were physically demanding in the intense heat. As we move into the 2026 season, the international rowing landscape is primed for more exhilarating racing. The focus now shifts to the historic Bosbaan in Amsterdam, which will host the 2026 World Rowing Championships from August 24 to 30. Here are some of my key international crews and athletes to watch in the upcoming year.
Olli Zeidler
One of the standout narratives of the year was Olli Zeidler. Despite balancing the rigours of a full-time MBA at IMD Business School in Lausanne, the Paris Olympic champion remained a dominant force in the handful of races that he entered this year. In his first race back after Paris, Zeidler was knocked out in a memorable clash with Finn Hamill at Henley Royal Regatta. Remarkably, after only eight weeks of dedicated training following his studies, Zeidler still secured a silver medal at the World Rowing Championships, proving his world-class calibre even in a “transition” year.
Finn Hamill
Finn Hamill has become the athlete to watch in whichever crew he joins. A former lightweight who has transitioned seamlessly to the heavyweight ranks, Hamill seems to have a special touch on everything he races. His 2025 campaign was prolific: he took third in the men’s openweight double at Varese with Ben Mason, second at Lucerne, and was a finalist in The Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta while winning The Double Sculls Challenge Cup. The Kiwi double fell short of their hopes for Shanghai, finishing eighth overall. He capped off his season by winning the championship single at the Head of the Charles, solidifying his status as a “giant slayer.” In my mind, it is uncertain who Finn will race with next year, or if he will pursue racing the single; however, what I am confident in is that it will not be a crew to be underestimated.
British Men’s Quad
The Great British men’s quad established itself as a top crew in the 2025 season. With a mix of Matt Heywood and Callum Dixon’s Olympic pedigree and Rory Harris and Cedol Dafydd’s youthful presence, this crew stormed to a win at the European Rowing Championships in their first regatta as a crew. Following a crew change leading into the final at Varese, they secured bronze and then went on to claim gold in Lucerne. They entered the World Rowing Championships as the crew to beat, having posted the fastest time in the semifinals, and were ultimately hungry for more after taking home the silver. I cannot help but think that they will be coming into the 2026 World Rowing season with a vengeance.
Dutch Men’s Sculling
I would be remiss if I did not include a preview for 2026, with the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, and not give a nod to any Dutch crews. Simon Van Dorp had an excellent year, starting with European silver in the quad, then transitioning to the single and winning Varese before finishing just off the podium at the World Rowing Championships. The Dutch men’s quad was also fourth at the World Rowing Championships, and the men’s four featuring Melvin Twellaar won bronze. It is impossible to predict what they will boat next season, but I am excited to see what it is, because one thing is nearly sure: it will be fast.
Conclusion
The 2025 World Rowing season was spectacular in its own right, thoroughly disproving the idea that the post-Olympic year is lower calibre. After an intensely hot regatta in Shanghai, it will be a stark contrast to the Bosbaan in August. It will be interesting to see what crews can take control of the conditions and lay down extraordinary performances. I am beyond excited for the 2026 season to kick off in Seville, Spain, May 29-31. It is sure to be another incredible year of racing.
