Rowsellas make history in Antalya with first-ever senior Beach Sprint medal

Australia has closed out its 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals campaign with a landmark breakthrough, securing an historic Bronze medal in the Coastal Mixed Coxed Quad, Australia’s first ever senior podium in the sprint discipline.

The Michael Russell-coached crew of Phoebe Robinson, Oscar Scheel-Gamborg, Sophia Wightman, Samuel Forbes and coxswain Ryder Taylor delivered a composed, courageous performance in their B-Final, hitting the turn ahead of Türkiye and powering home to secure a result that will stand as a defining moment in Australia’s Beach Sprint journey.

Their Bronze capped a four-day campaign that showcased a young Australian squad stepping decisively onto the world stage.

Averaging just 20 to 21 years of age, the Mixed Quad continued to build on their U19 success from 2024.

Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE praised the crew’s rise through the rounds, with their momentum growing with every race.

“The quad were fabulous, they just got better as the competition went on,” Thompson said.

“With each round, the pressure increased and they rose to the occasion every time, delivering their best exactly when it counted.”

For a group not yet in their mid-20s, the medal reflected a rapid upward trajectory.

“Those athletes were medallists in the U19 races last year, so they’re really starting to build momentum in their careers.”

Australia’s solo athletes, Spencer Turrin OAM in the Men’s Solo and Elizabeth Newell in the Women’s Solo, both advanced to the knockout stage and delivered gritty runs against world-class fields.

Thompson acknowledged their efforts, alongside those of the Mixed Double.

“So were Spencer and Elizabeth in the solos, and Blake [Whyatt] and Catherine [Khan] in the Double as well. You could see the standard was really high across the events.”

In the Mixed Double, Catherine Khan and Blake Whyatt fought through a deep time-trial field, finishing in 02:30.95.

With Beach Sprint rowing set for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the intensity at this year’s Finals was unmistakable.

Thompson highlighted the specific demands now shaping the discipline:

“For the beach athletes... physicality, skills. It's an Olympic event now, and it’s really competitive and exciting racing. Dexterity plays a role in it, as do all the different disciplines that are developing.”

His message to athletes considering the pathway was clear.

“The way I see it, we’ve got scullers, sweep rowers, coastal athletes, beach rowers. We need to help people make the right decisions about what best suits them so they have the best opportunity to perform on the Olympic stage.”