Two GB Senior boats progress to quarter finals at World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals 2025
Great Britain is through to two quarter final races tomorrow at the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Antalya, Turkiye, after both the coastal women’s solo and coastal mixed quadruple sculls impressed on day three.
Laura McKenzie, is through to the last eight of the Coastal Women’s Solo (CW1x). She was quick in the sprint to the boat and got an early lead which she maintained to win her last 16 bout with Canada. She said: “It was pretty flat but I picked up a really nice couple of waves on the way back, which helped solidify my lead, which was nice, but I didn’t give up towards the end. I was going for a good time, so we’ll see what happens. I think it’ll be tight tomorrow. Depending on if the weather stays the same. If it changes, it could be a totally different race, but from today, I think the times are all pretty close. It’s going to be tough but fun tomorrow.”
It was a comfortable win for the Coastal Mixed coxed quadruple sculls (CMix4x+) in their repechage. The crew of Heather Gordon, Chris Thompson, Natasha Phillips, Gregor Hall and cox Ryan Glymond were quick off the start and kept a lead to win ahead of Egypt and progress to the quarter finals where they’ll race home nation, Turkiye.
Speaking after the race, Ryan said: “It was a tough race but I’m glad we managed to stay nice and calm, and get the job done. Racing the repechage is another race in the legs. It’s always good to get more race practice in and we can’t wait to get out and get more racing done. We’re here to attack it with everything we’ve got. There’s no pressure. We’re enjoying ourselves, enjoying the beach, enjoying the sun and it’s a great event, so we’re having a good time!”
Sol Chamberlain-Hyde, finished in the last eight of the U19 Coastal Men’s Solo (CJM1x). In a closely fought race with Czechia’s Lukas Krizek. The sprint finish saw both athletes leap for the buzzer, with Sol missing out by just 0.14 of a second. His time of 02:24.17 was a personal best for the young sculler.
It was a tough race for James Cox in Coastal Men’s Solo (CM1x), despite a good start and a powerful sprint finish he couldn’t match the pace of the German sculler and leaves the competition in the last 16. Also leaving in the last 16 are the Coastal Mixed double sculls (CMix2x) of Cameron Buchan and Natacha Searson. They had a strong start to take an early lead but an equipment issue led to them losing momentum in the second half and they lost out to the Italian crew.
The day ended with Edwin Van Lopik and Valen Giachetto presented with their U19 Coastal Men’s double sculls (CJM2x) silver medals which they won yesterday.
