By Rupert Guinness, Australian Rowing Teams Media Manager
The Australian Rowing Team (ART) finished Day 1 of the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from August 6 – 9 with two of three crews making the Semi-Finals after placing second in their heats.
On Thursday, Australia’s Women’s Pair and Women’s Four qualified for the Semi-Finals; while the Women’s Quadruple Scull placed fifth to miss out.
The overall ART performance in Plovdiv reflects the continued development of Rowing Australia’s Pathways Program that across the board has benefited from more than a decade of unwavering support from Hancock Prospecting and Rowing Australia Patron, Mrs Gina Rinehart AO.
From trials and selections, through to the big stage of international competitions like these 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Hancock Prospecting’s investment into rowing is central to Australian crews being able to prepare, perform and succeed globally.
RA also acknowledges the support from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and Australian Government, whose investment enables athletes, coaches and programs to perform and represent Australia with pride.
The importance of such support from all parties cannot be understated, said RA Head of Pathways, Jason Lane.
“The success and ongoing development of our athletes is only possible because of the collective investment and commitment of our partners and stakeholders,” Lane said.
“The long-term support of Hancock Prospecting and Rowing Australia Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart AO, together with the AIS, ASC and Australian Government, provides our athletes and coaches with the opportunities, resources and high-performance environment needed to compete against the very best in the world.
“Their support is helping to build the next generation of Australian rowing talent and strengthen the pathway towards future senior team success.”
Commenting on the ART’s performance in Plovdiv on Day 1 of the World Rowing Under 19 Championships, Lane said: “It was an encouraging opening day for the team. We saw some strong racing from our Women’s Pair and Women’s Four to progress through to the Semi-Finals, while the Women’s Quadruple Scull competed strongly in a highly competitive field.
“While not every result fell our way, the athletes represented Australia with professionalism and determination, and there were plenty of positive signs in their performances.”
The Women’s Fours, Women’s Pairs and Women’s Quadruple Sculls all arrived in Plovdiv with high and reasonable expectations from RA. They were formed during and after the national selection process that was based on the threshold standards met during the selection trials in April.
The focus of RA’s High Performance and Pathway programs will continue to be the development of Australia’s Under 19 talent on the world stage where athletes and crews meet those standards. These team members are expected to be among those who will develop through RA’s Under 23 Pathways system and feature in the Senior selection frame for Brisbane 2032, of whom nine of the 10 athletes competing at Plovdiv are also debuting for the nation. The one exception is Patricia Boland who has returned in the Quadruple Scull following a strong performance in the Double Scull at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships.
Meanwhile, RA’s focus this week will continue to be on the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv and the progress and performances of all the Australian crews racing in the regatta.
“Our focus now is on continuing to build throughout the week and ensuring every athlete maximises their opportunity on the world stage,” Lane said.
“The team has prepared well, the athletes are embracing the challenge, and we're looking forward to seeing how they continue to progress across the regatta.”
Photo: The Australian U19 Women's Pair racing in Plovdiv.
In Thursday’s heats, the Women’s Pairs saw the Victorian-based crew of Piper Hallam and Emma Peele who are coached by Will Achermann, place second to automatically make the Semi-Finals that will be held on Friday.
Romania won the heat (7:25.92), but the race in their wake was a see-saw affair with Australia, rowing in Lane 1, pushing through in the last 500m to reclaim second place (7:28.66) from Germany (7:29.81) who had taken second place from the Australians mid-race.
Romania dominated early, however Australia still started well and were second at 500m. But in the second 500m Germany pushed hard to come from behind and pass Hallam and Peele by 1000m, and at 1500m they were under one second ahead. Australia then responded with a strong finish to secure their semi-final ticket courtesy of their top two finish.
In the Women’s Fours, the Tom Gatti-coached West Australian crew of Oceane Jeannerat, Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi, Stella Wandel and Olivia Hansen-Knarhoi placed second to Romania to also make the Semi-Final.
Romania, the Under 19 European Champions, took early control of the heat, but after asserting their domination they still put in a big effort in the last 500m to lock in the win (6:55.96) with clear water. However, behind the Romanians, Australia, racing in Lane 3, managed to hold second place all the way to the finish (7:05.53) ahead of third placed Spain (7:10.85).
In the Women’s Quadruple Sculls, the NSW crew of Elyse Coates, Elouise Stephens, Patricia Boland, and Summer Phillips - coached by Alan Bennett - found itself off the race pace early and finished in fifth place.
Romania (6:35.65) won from Germany (6:38.72), Norway (6:47.00), Italy (6:48.77) and Australia (7:02.92) who will now race Friday’s C-Final.
Australian boats racing on Day 2 – Friday 7 August
9:50AM (4:50PM AEST) Women’s Quadruple Scull C-Final – Elyse Coates (b), Elouise Stephens (2), Patricia Boland (3), Summer Phillips (s)
10:58AM (5:58PM AEST) Women’s Pair Semi-Final 2 - Piper Hallam (b), Emma Peele (s)
11:37AM (6:37PM AEST) Women’s Four Semi-Final 1 - Oceane Jeannerat (b), Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi (2), Stella Wandel (3), Olivia Hansen-Knarhoi (s)
How to follow the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships at Plovdiv (6 - 9 August)
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Photo Credit: Brad Redfern Photography