GB U19s to race on the Olympic and Paralympic course at World Rowing U19 Championships
Nine GB boats have been selected for the World Rowing Under 19 Championships, at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in Seine-et-Marne, Paris from 2-6 August 2023
The Championships give the under 19 team the opportunity to race on the course that Great Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians will take on next year, acting as a test event ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Commenting on the team selection, Peter Sheppard, GB Rowing Team Head Coach for the Olympic Pathway said: “For many of the athletes, this will be their first opportunity to represent their country on the World stage against other U19s from around the globe. This is an exciting opportunity for the young athletes to start their journey towards further GB representation at U23 and senior level.”
Returners to the team from 2022 include Maddie Greenstock and Martha Shepherd who won silver in the Women’s eight and are now taking on the challenge of the women’s four. Matilda Drewett won bronze in the Women’s quad in 2022 and this time will race with Jess Weir in the Women’s double. Sophie Wrightson (silver in 2022) again coxes the Women’s eight and will be able to guide and support a completely new crew in Paris.
On the boys team, Max Peel won silver in the Men’s eight in 2022 and is this year racing in the Men’s four, while Harry Ruinet sits in the Men’s quad for a second year, looking to get closer to the podium this time.
Peter Sheppard added: “It’s right that we also recognise and thank the clubs and coaches that supported the selected athletes throughout the season. Without their continued support these athletes wouldn’t be ready to represent GB and race in Paris. With a strong coaching team including coaches joining us for the first time at the U19 World Rowing Championships, it’s an exciting few weeks ahead for all concerned.”
The Great Britain crews racing at the World Rowing U19 Championships 2023 are:
Women
Women’s double sculls (JW2x)
Matilda Drewett (Kingston Grammar School BC)
Jessica Weir (Shiplake College BC)
Coach: Dan Safdari (Shiplake College BC)
Women’s quadruple sculls (JW4x)
Olivia Cheesmur (Molesey BC)
Eloise Etherington (Wycliffe Junior RC)
Chloe Sheppard (Hartpury University and College BC)
Lily Martin (Wycliffe Junior RC)
Coach: Bethan Thomas (Kingston Grammar School BC)
Women’s four (JW4-)
Martha Shepherd (Hinksey Sculling School)
Rhiannon Luke (Henley RC)
Violet Holbrow-Brooksbank (Wycliffe Junior RC)
Madeleine Greenstock (Surbiton High School BC)
Coach: Helen Taylor (Molesey BC)
Women’s eight (JW8+)
Emily Myers (Hinksey Sculling School)
Tess Peake (Tideway Scullers School)
Helena Purves (Headington School, Oxford BC)
Aggie Burt (Wycliffe Junior RC)
Alice Colclough (Royal Shrewsbury School BC)
Niamh Comerford (Tideway Scullers School)
Ailish Harkin (Henley RC)
Isadora Kennedy (Surbiton High School BC)
Sophie Wrightson (Cox) (Headington School, Oxford BC)
Coach: Bodo Schulenburg (Hinksey Sculling School)
Men
Men’s single sculls (JM1x)
Byron Richards (Leander Club)
Coach: Jonathan Jackson (Leander Club)
Men’s quadruple sculls (JM4x)
Alex Patton (St Andrew BC)
Nathaniel Gauden (Leander Club)
Harry Ruinet (Claires Court School BC)
Jack Cadwallader (The Windsor Boys’ School BC)
Coach and Sculling Lead: Mark Wilkinson (The Windsor Boys’ School BC)
Assistant Coach: Alex Richardson (Claires Court School BC)
Men’s pair (JM2-)
Jamie Pollock (Bryanston School BC)
Patrick Wild (St Paul’s School BC)
Coach: Chris Clark (Royal Shrewsbury School BC)
Men’s four (JM4-)
Kai Schlottmann (Llandaff RC)
Alex Perkins (Eton College BC)
Max Peel (Westminster School BC)
Philip Wolfensberger (St Paul’s School BC)
Coach and Sweep Lead: Dave Currie (Shiplake College)
Men’s eight (JM8+)
Gabriel George (Radley College BC)
Freddie Middleton (Shiplake College BC)
Robert Rawlinson (Radley College BC)
Osian James (Llandaff RC)
Alp Karadogan (St Paul’s School BC)
Jamie Ginsberg (Eton College BC)
Felix Peerless (St Paul’s School BC)
Samuel Scowen (King’s College School Wimbledon BC)
Natalia Toms (Cox) (Royal Shrewsbury School BC)
Coach: Patrick Duggan (King’s College School Wimbledon BC)
Team Support
John Layng: Team Manager
Dan Cooper: Assistant Team Manager
Vicky Spencer: Lead Coach/Olympic Transition Coach (U19s-U23s)
Ryan Demaine: Women’s Sweep Lead
Dr Andy Ciecierski: Doctor
Eoghan O’Connor: Physiotherapist
