Seven British crews will race for medals at the U23 World Rowing Championships

After the second day of racing in Duisburg, Germany, an additional four boats have advanced to A Finals, with three set to race in the B Finals

Great Britain will have seven boats racing for medals at the U23 World Rowing Championships.

Following a rejig in the racing schedule, seven crews were in action on the second day of racing in Duisburg, Germany.

The highlight of the day’s racing was arguably Nat Gauden and the Men’s Quadruple Scull, advancing to the A Final. Not only did Gauden and his teammates Matt Long, Joshua Matthews, and Elliott Donovan-Davies win their semi-final by two seconds, but it was also the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup winner’s birthday. A fitting way to celebrate his 21st!

Both the Men’s Four and the Women’s Four have advanced to the A Finals. Great Britain are the defending Champions in the Women’s event and Amelia Gleed, Acorn Cassidy, Ellie-Kate Hutchinson, and Rhiannon Luke will advance as winners of their semi-final. A controlled performance saw them finish ahead of The Netherlands and Spain.

Great Britain last won the Men’s Four in 2024. This year, Ben Mead, Tristan Wenger, Cameron Tasker, and Marcus Chute held off attacks from China, Romania, and home favourites Germany in the closing stages to finish half a length up on the chasing pack, and book themselves a spot in the A Final with the fastest time across the two semi-finals.

In the Men’s Pair, Tom Griffin and Isaac Thurn timed their race to perfection. With 500m left, the duo were nip and tuck with the Australians, before kicking on to win their race by clear water. The Aussies would take second, and Belgium would place third, joining them in the A Final.

The Women’s Pair of Anna Cowell and Valentina Fenton were involved in one of the closest races of the regatta so far. With less than 400m to go, it became clear that four boats would be fighting for the last two spots available in the A Final. As AIN led out, Cowell and Fenton went through the gears but were pipped on the line by France and Lithuania. They will race again in the B Final.

In the Men’s Double Sculls, Freddy Foxwell and Isaac Morris were involved in the quicker of the two semi-finals. Through 1500m, the pair tried to hang onto the coattails of the fast-finishing crews from Ireland and Turkey, but were unable to overhaul their opposition and crossed the line fourth.

Following World Rowing’s decision to alter the racing schedule due to expected weather, Meg Knight was back in action in the Women’s Single Sculls. The Reading University Boat Club sculler was in action in some of the final racing of the morning, placing sixth, and she’ll race in Sunday’s B Final.

“Today’s racing has been another solid performance from the GB crews, with a total of seven boats now in A Finals and three in B Finals,” saidGB Rowing Team Head Coach for the Olympic Pathway Pete Sheppard.

“We have genuine medal opportunities across the weekend, and I am expecting some fierce racing from other nations. We have an exciting weekend of racing ahead of us.”

Catch on the day’s racing via the World Rowing livestream