World Rowing U23 Championships Day 2 Review | Australian crews charge into medal races

By Rupert Guinness, Australian Rowing Teams Media Manager

The Australian Rowing Team (ART) will compete in seven A-Finals at the 2026 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany after four more crews made medal races on Friday, Day 2 of the regatta.

The boats to progress to A-Finals on Saturday through Friday’s Semi-Finals were the Women’s Pair, Men’s Pair, Women’s Double Scull and Men’s Four.

They will join the Women’s and Men’s PR3 Single Scullers - Suzannah Lutze and Sam Stunell - in Saturday’s A-Finals. Australia will also race Sunday’s Men’s Eights A-Final.

The ART’s strength at this regatta so far reinforces the benefit of the support from Hancock Prospecting and enduring commitment of Rowing Australia Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart AO. From trials and selections, through to big stage international competitions like these 2026 World Rowing U23 Championships, Hancock Prospecting’s investment is central to Australian crews being able to prepare, perform and succeed globally.

Rowing Australia also acknowledges the significant support from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and the Australian Government through Minister for Sport Anika Wells, whose investment enables athletes, coaches and programs to perform and represent Australia with pride.

RA Head of Pathways, Jason Lane said: “The support we receive from Hancock Prospecting and Mrs Gina Rinehart AO continues to make a significant difference to the development and success of our athletes.

“Their commitment allows our crews to access world-class preparation, coaching and competition opportunities, which are critical in helping these young rowers reach their potential on the international stage.

“We are also extremely grateful for the ongoing investment and partnership of the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Government through Minister for Sport Anika Wells.

“The collective support across our high-performance system gives athletes and coaches the resources they need to compete against the best in the world and proudly represent Australia.”

Lane praised the seven Australian crews that raced on Day 2 but cited as standouts the Semi-Final wins by Australia’s Women’s Pair and Men’s Four.

“It was another really strong day for the Australian team,” Lane said.

“To have seven crews qualified for A-Finals, reflects the depth of talent coming through our pathway program and the hard work that athletes and coaches have put in throughout the campaign.

“The Women's Pair and Men's Four were particularly impressive.

“Both crews raced with confidence, composure and intent, and their Semi-Final victories showed their ability to execute under pressure when it mattered most.

“It was most pleasing to see the way those crews controlled their races.”

In the Women’s Pair Semi-Final, Australia’s Imogen Grey and Lucy Searle - the stern pair of the winning University of Texas NCAA Varsity Eight Championships in the US - never looked threatened for the A-Final.

Grey and Searle led by five-seconds at 500m and were then able to control their effort by underrating the other crews with an eye on Saturday’s medal race, as the fight for the last two spots to make the A-Final unfolded.

The Australians entered the last 500m rating 29 strokes per minute while maintaining the same speed as every other boat, a rate that dropped to 27 and then 26 by the finish.

Australia won (7:21.99) from the US (7:24.94) and Romania (7:25.73). Joining them in the A-Final from the other semi-final are AIN, Lithuania and France.

In the Semi-Final of the Men’s Four, Australia’s Alec Hoskin, Matthew Cashman, Daniel Cashman, and Montgomery Martin were also convincing winners.

Although, they did engage with the US crew after a challenge in the last 500m by responding to increase their rate to 38 and 39 strokes per minute before winning.

Australia won (5:59.13) over the US (6:02.03) and South Africa (6:03.79) who all made the A-Final alongside Great Britain, China and Germany from the other semi-final.

“That was a good race, it was good to race some of the boys we didn't race in the heats,” Australian crew member Monty Martin told Worldrowing.com after the Semi-Final.

“[There was] a bit less wind today which was nice, a bit faster race.

“We trained so much for this it's just important to enjoy it. We're really enjoying just rowing together.”

In the Men’s Pair Semi-Finals, Australia’s Jack Hansen-Knarhoi and Lachlan Brown - Silver Medallists in the event at last year’s World Rowing Under 19 Championships - led out from the start, but not without Great Britain on their heels.

Great Britain won (6:37.01) leaving Australia to finish in second place (6:40.42) and Belgium third (6:42.82). Qualifying for the A-Final from the other semi-final were Greece, Romania and Italy.

In the Women’s Double Scull Semi-Finals, Australia’s Sophie Malcolm and Eliza Bridgefoot placed third to make Saturday’s A-Final after a late push over the last 250m.

The semi-final was won by AIN (7:06.89) from Lithuania (7:11.45), followed by Australia (7:11.98) who were only passed by Lithuania in the last 250m.

Joining the Australians in the A-Final from the other semi-final will be Greece, Poland and France.

Photo: Lachlan Brown and Jack Hansen-Knarhoi competing in the Men's Pair

In other races:

Australia’s Women’s Four of Leila Gaston, Sarah Marriott, Chloe Nevins, and Hannah Richardson missed out on the A-Final with fourth place in their Semi-Final.

It was a similar story for the Australian Men’s Quadruple Scull of Oliver Evans-Wood, Tobias Elias, Max Currie and Jasper Boyce who also placed fourth to miss the A-Final.

The Women’s Four and Men’s Quadruple Scull will both race B-Finals on Saturday.

Sarah Bourke also raced her Semi-Final in the Women’s Single Sculls on Friday, placing fourth. She will race the B-Final on Sunday.

Australian boats racing on Day 3 – Saturday 25 July

9:25AM (5:25PM AEST) Women’s Four B-Final – Leila Gaston (b), Sarah Marriott (2), Chloe Nevins (3), Hannah Richardson (s)

9:35AM (5:35PM AEST) Men’s Quadruple Scull B-Final – Oliver Evans-Wood (b), Tobias Elias (2), Max Currie (3), Jasper Boyce (s)

10:00AM (6:00PM AEST) PR3 Women’s Single Scull A-Final – Susannah Lutze PLY

10:14AM (6:14PM AEST) PR3 Men’s Single Scull A-Final – Sam Stunell

10:30AM (6:30PM AEST) Women’s Pair A-Final – Lucy Searle (b), Imogen Grey (s)

10:45AM (6:45PM AEST) Men’s Pair A-Final – Jack Hansen-Knarhoi (b), Lachlan Brown (s)

10:59AM (6:59PM AEST) Women’s Double Scull A-Final – Sophie Malcolm (b), Eliza Bridgefoot (s)

11:43AM (7:43PM AEST) Men’s Four A-Final – Alec Hoskin (b), Matthew Cashman (2), Daniel Cashman (3), Montgomery Martin (s)

HOW TO FOLLOW the 2026 Under 23 World Championships – Duisburg: July 23-26

Follow the action across Rowing Australia’s social channels.

For all information on Live video streaming, race tracker, audio, timetable, entries and results, click HERE