Rowers to watch: 2021 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals

The second edition of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals is about to get underway in Oeiras, Portugal. The beach sprints event often draws interest from coastal rowers, but as a new competition format, there is still ample learning for experienced and inexperienced athlete alike.

Some of the top names from the inaugural Beach Sprints in 2019 in Shenzhen, China have returned. They are mixed in with Tokyo rowing Olympians as well as new categories for junior athletes. Here’s a selection of the rowers to watch.

Women’s solo (CW1x)
There are 15 athletes in the women’s single sculls, known as the solo and one returning competitor from the 2019 event, Greece’s Zoi Fitsiou. Fitsiou finished third overall back in 2019 and definitely has the experience to make a top finish again. Keep an eye too on Poland’s Agnieszka Kobus-Zawojska. She recently won silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the women’s quadruple sculls and has decided to give the beach sprints a go. And watch out for Maya Cornut of France. Cornut is a top coastal rower who will compete in the shorter sprint distance in Oeiras.

Men’s solo (CM1x)
The men’s solo has an impressive list of entries. The most experienced beach sprint athlete is Ivan Bove of France. Bove finished third at the 2019 event. But he will have hot competition. Olympic silver medallist from the men’s single sculls Kjetil Borch of Norway has decided to give the beach sprints a try – he certainly has the power – but will he be able to read the waves? Watch out too for seasoned coastal rowers like Federico Garibaldi of Italy and Quentin Antognelli of Monaco. And don’t forget about a few other top flat-water rowers like Maciej Zawojski from Poland and Eskil Borgh of Sweden.

Mixed double sculls (CMix2x)
The mixed double sculls always provides great entertainment as well as the opportunity for male and female athletes to compete together. There are 14 crews entered this year including one returning duo from the 2019 event: Italy. The Italians might have experience to their names, but the crew to beat could well be coastal powerhouse France.

The French have put together a new combination of Ludovic Dubuis and the medalled coastal rower Edwige Alfred. Alfred finished second in the event back in 2019 with another partner. Keep an eye too on Canada. They also have a new combination, but both athletes have coastal and beach sprint experience. And don’t rule out a top performance from Poland – the Zawojski couple from Poland bring plenty of Olympic strength to the water.

Mixed coxed quadruple sculls (CMix4+)
The mixed coxed quad sees an impressive 11 entries and will provide for some thrilling racing from these fast boats. Although all countries are coming to the event with new lineups, keep an eye on Spain. They were second at the event back in 2019. And watch out for other top coastal rowing nations like Italy and Monaco. But don’t rule out the United States. They held their first ever qualification event for the beach sprints and have selected their country’s top crew.

The 2021 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals also includes for the first time five junior events: men’s and women’s solos and doubles as well as a mixed double. Coastal rowing is part of the next Youth Olympic Games and adding junior boat classes is part of the ongoing development of the sport.

Junior athletes will be competing from around the world, including entries from India and the United States in the women’s solo. On the men’s side Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia are among the entries. These young athletes will use the opportunity to build their beach sprint skills.