Pure class from U19 athletes in Trakai

Seven medals see GB top medal table at World Rowing Under 19 Championships 

It was an exceptional final day of racing for Great Britain at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania. With thirty-four out of the thirty-seven athletes coming home with a medal, the team crowned twenty-four athletes U19 World Champions and won seven medals – four gold, two silver and a bronze. The four gold medals included wins in all Men’s sweep boats, the Men’s pair, Men’s four and Men’s eight as well as the Women’s eight.

It was a brilliant battle for the gold in the Men’s pair (JM2-) final. The Australian crew took a narrow lead up to the 1500, but the experienced GB crew of Patrick Wild and Alp Karadogan rowed through to go ahead and take the win by 1.5 seconds. The World Champion St Paul’s School crew, coached by Bobby Thatcher are the first U19 Men’s pair World Champions since Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster in 1988 and Alp is now a two-time U19 World Champion in the pair and eight, having also won gold in 2023.

Patrick, who had won a silver medal in the men’s four with Alp in 2024 was overwhelmed by the win. Speaking to World Rowing after the race, he said: “I can’t believe it, we lost to Australia in the semi final yesterday but decided to just throw everything at it today. I felt like I was about to blow in the last few strokes but we held on and took the win today. We didn’t set into a good rhythm yesterday and today we trusted our speed and here we are! It’s the most amazing feeling!”

The Men’s four (JM4-) were quick off the start and took the lead at halfway to win the World Championship gold by clear water. The confident crew of Edward Galer, Eddie Bayfield, Isaac Dean and Elam Hughes, coached by Matt Harris, were dominant throughout and won by almost 4 seconds.

Edward said: “It feels good. We went out with confidence. We knew we had the speed and put ourselves in a good position to take the win.” Elam added: “Overall we’re very happy. We trusted our rhythm and thanks to our coach, Matt Harris, he helped us bond well as a team and this is the best way to top off a very long season!”

It was all to play for in the Women’s eight (JW8+) final. Coached by Dan Safdari, the GB crew of Charlotte Tong, Ione Haley, Eve Pinsent, Freya Coupe, Charlotte Taylor-Aubery, Elayna Yap, Lucy Pillar, Lara Bone and cox, Hannah Jacobs were bowball to bowball with the pack and pulled narrowly ahead of Australia at the 1km. The USA boat charged forward from sixth place but couldn’t catch Great Britain who kept their cool to hold the lead and become Women’s eight U19 World Champions.

Hannah said: “We are so happy, it was intense and stressful – everyone was with us for a long time but then we thought ‘go, go’!” Eve added: “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but thanks to everyone who helped us get here, our coach Dan, our home coaches and everyone behind the scenes!”

Great Britain easily retained their U19 World Champion title in the Men’s eight (JM8+). The crew, all making their U19 World debuts, Alastair Heathcote, Harry Bernard, Leo Robertson, Richard Wolskel, Gaspard Wenger, Luca Hunt-Davis, Nicholas Conway, Ivo Monaghan and cox, Felix Jamieson were coached by Nick Barry-Parker. They led from the start and were cool and calm to cross the line ahead of Czechia and Germany.

Speaking after the race the athletes said: “It feels surreal. We were hoping for it this morning. We didn’t expect it, but were hoping! The relief is immense. It means so much! Thanks to our parents and our clubs for all of their support. This is the best feeling in the world!”

It was another U19 silver medal for Emily Nicholas and Catherine Gardner, this year racing in the Women’s double sculls (JW2x). Coached by GB Rowing Team’s Vicky Spencer the crew kept close to the leading Greek crew throughout and comfortably maintained second place to bring home the silver.

The Women’s four (JW4-) was another close battle with Sophie Haisman, Ottilie Campbell-Reide, Chloe Hughes and Amelia Westbrook, coached by Ryan Demaine, holding on to bring home a fantastic silver medal.

The Women’s quadruple sculls (JW4x) was incredibly close throughout. The GB crew, coached by Chris Boddy, of Lily Anderson, Charlotte Van der Wiele, Lauren Kennedy and Eleanor Lawrence-Preston were 0.02 seconds ahead at both the 500 and 1km marker. The second half saw the Polish crew edge ahead to take the win. A surge from Czechia led to a photo finish on the line which confirmed that GB had won bronze, despite matching the silver medal winning Czechia time of 06:58.94.

Coached by Mark Wilkinson, both men’s sculling boats raced earlier in the day in their respective B finals. Joe Wellington built on his semi final performance to finish second and eighth overall in the Men’s single sculls (JM1x). Max Fullman and Joseph McCarthy continued to develop their international racing experience finishing fifth, 11th overall in the Men’s double sculls (JM2x).

Commenting on the team performance, John Layng, GBRT U19s Team Manager said: “This was an exceptional set of results from a highly motivated and committed team of young men and women who have all provided exciting racing throughout the Championships. Many thanks are due to their coaches and support team who have enabled their success on the world stage as well as the support from school and club coaches and parents throughout the season.”