New look Fours hoping to shine in Shanghai Worlds 

By Rupert Guinness with the Rowsellas in Shanghai 

The Australian Men’s and Women’s Fours both head into the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai with high expectation. 

However, as exciting as their prospects are in Shanghai is their potential considering they are new combinations that have shown great scope for improvement. 

The competition for seats in both crews also reflects an encouraging depth in Rowing Australia’s sweep oared program as it steers towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

Men's Four

The Men’s Four is one of Australia’s best hopes at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai after winning Golds at their two World Cup starts in Varese and Lucerne. 

But coach Chris O’Brien, who is also the Men’s Head Coach, is cautious to forecast the chances of his crew that is made up Olympians Alexander Hill OAM and Fergus Hamilton, and World Championships debutants Austin Reinehr and Nikolas Pender. 

O’Brien says the lengthy passage of time since the Lucerne World Cup that finished on June 29 still leaves some uncertainty.  

“We've made progress. We know we’re capable,” O’Brien said. 

“But you're trying to gauge it against the progress of others. How will everyone else adapt? What training have people done?"

However, on results, the Four is still the form boat, and O’Brien recognises that; and he wants his crew to use the inevitable challenge from others as motivation. 

“Your teammates are the ones that help you become better, but they are not the ones you are trying to beat. They are the other boats,” he said. 

“The challenge is using them to lift you in your preparation and training. The true competition is international competition, but we’ll first see how everyone races.” 

O’Brien casts the net far-and-wide when asked for the major challengers, including Romania, Lithuania, France, USA, and Great Britain as the key boats to watch for. 

Men’s Four 

Stroke: Alexander Hill OAM (#786)

Three-seat: Austin Reinehr

Two-seat: Fergus Hamilton OLY (#919)

Bow: Nikolas Pender

Coach: Chris O’Brien 

Provisional race schedule 

Monday September 22 - Heats  

Wednesday September 24 - Semis

Friday September 26 - Finals 

Women's Four

The Women’s Four is an exciting crew with huge potential, based on their two Silvers won in the World Cups at Varese and Lucerne this year and that it is a new combination. 

The crew, coached by James Harris, who is also the Women’s Head Coach, includes two Olympians (Georgina Rowe and Jacqueline Swick), Eliza Gaffney in her second World Rowing Championships, and debutant Emmie Frederico.

Asked how the boat is tracking with a European campaign and training block back at home under the belt, Harris said: “They've been going well, building good momentum."

“When you build a crew, you want to have that balance of fresh youth and the grounding in the reality and the experience of the elder ones who have been there and done that.” 

Asked what the major take-out from the European campaign was, Harris does not refer to their two World Cup Silvers.  

“For the more experienced ones, it was the first time they have medalled in a smaller boat than the eight which is a significant deal for them,” Harris said. 

“It was also building that confidence in the program in the technical model that we are developing and will lean into in the future.” 

So, what will define success for the Four at these world championships in Shanghai? 

“I think we've already been successful with the Four,” Harris said, citing transition of the two Olympians in the boat “physically and technically’ and as leaders, and the resilience of the two “newer” members who have fought hard to earn their selection. 

However, Harris still believes the crew can challenge for the medals.  

“Absolutely, we want to be in the hunt for a medal,” Harris said.  

As for who will be the Fours’ main challengers, Harris names the Netherlands, Romania, USA, Great Britain, and New Zealand as key threats. 

Women’s Four 

Stroke: Jacqueline Swick OLY (#901) 

Three-seat: Georgina Rowe OLY (#856)

Two-seat: Eliza Gaffney (#896) 

Bow: Emmie Frederico   

Coach: James Harris 

Provisional race schedule

Monday September 22 – Heats 

Wednesday September 24 - Semis

Friday September 26 - Finals

How to Follow the 2025 World Rowing Championships

The first races will start September 21 at 12:05 AEST. The medal races start September 25 at 16:05 AEST.

Here is how to follow the event on mobile, tablet, or desktop:

1. The provisional time table for the events can be found here and entries for all the events can be found here.

2. Live race tracker and LIVE audio will be available for ALL races on www.worldrowing.com.

3. LIVE video streaming will be available on the World Rowing website on Sunday September 21  from 12:00 AEST. The video streaming will start 5 minutes before the first race.

Meet your 2025 World Rowing Championships Rowsellas