WA duo win Silver at World Rowing Under 19 Championships

Western Australians Jack Hansen-Knarhoi and Lachlan Brown have stormed to a Silver medal in the Men’s Pair at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, Australia’s standout result of the regatta.

The pair exploded off the start, leading through 1500m before being challenged by a fast-finishing Great Britain crew in the closing stages. They crossed the line in 7:03.73, just 1.51 seconds off Gold.

“They couldn’t do any more,” Rowing Australia Head of Pathways Jason Lane said.

“They raced with great determination and, while a better crew got past them on the day, I’m really proud of their achievements.”

The Women’s Eight of Zahra Taylor, Millie Cullinane, Mika Naito, Grace Barrera, Tamara Bates, Chelsea Baker, Madeleine Swainand stroke Florence Hennessy, coxed by Melody Yin, attacked from the outset, sitting in medal contention through 1500m before finishing sixth in a race where just seven seconds separated first from last.

“When you’ve got 3.8 seconds from first to last in the preliminary, it’s a pretty competitive event. They raced, really well, really bravely, and to be right in the midst of that, they were super proud of their achievement,” Lane said.

The Men’s Four of Maximus Garnett, Angus Ciesiolka, Tomas Moloney and stroke Matias Moloney mixed it with the leading crews early before finishing fifth in another high-calibre A Final.

In the B Finals, the Men’s Quadruple Sculls of Max Mason, Lucas Cardaci, Eoghan Johnson and stroke Montague Sallabank finished fourth, less than a second from the top three.

The Men’s Double Sculls of Luke Purdie and Tobias Elias, both managing illness during the week, also placed fourth, while the Women’s Double Scull of Patricia Boland and Lucy Yabsley finished fifth.

In the Women’s Single Scull, Astrid Thomas wrapped up her campaign with second place in the D Final, ranking 20th overall.

Lane said the experience in Lithuania will prove invaluable.

“This is a stepping stone… until you’re in the fire, you don’t really appreciate it. Our crews were competitive, and they now understand what it’s like racing at the top end of the field. It’s the beginning of a journey, not the end,” Lane said.

“We’ve got to understand what we need to do as a country to keep moving forward and keep working our principles of how we row, how we train, and keep making sure these athletes are developing and putting themselves at the front of the fields in whatever category we’re racing in, from Under 19 through to the seniors.”