First eight World U23 Champions crowned in St Catharines

On the fifth day of the combined World Rowing Senior, U23 and U19 Championships in St Catharines, Canada, the first medal races got underway with eight U23 boat classes being contested. A full house in the Craig Swayze Memorial Grandstand were treated to eight incredible races as the first of the 2024 World Rowing U23 Champions were crowned.

U23 women’s coxed four (BW4+) – Final

With four crews racing for three medals, this was likely to be competitive. Italy took the early lead before the USA took control and it was Canada that was marginally off the pace in the initial stages. At the halfway point, New Zealand had made their move and were just a canvas behind the USA. Then, into the third quarter of the race, the Kiwis took the lead. Into the closing stages, the USA kept the pressure on New Zealand all of the way, but it just wasn’t enough. The first gold of the Championships went to New Zealand.

Result: NZL, USA, ITA, CAN

U23 men’s coxed four (BM4+) – Final

The USA took the early lead again in this race with Italy also up in the mix, but it was all very close in the first quarter of the race. At 500m, the USA were still leading, ahead of the reigning World Rowing U23 Champions, Italy. At halfway, the Americans had a length lead and were looking well in control of the race. Could Italy respond? Into the third quarter, the USA were starting to look dominant with clear water at 1,500m ahead of Italy and Australia sitting in third. Surely nobody could catch the Americans? They couldn’t. It was an incredible gold medal for the USA, they had prevented Italy from defending their title in this boat class, with a lead of 4.16 seconds. France got bronze in a sprint to the line.

Result: USA, ITA, FRA, AUS, GER

U23 lightweight men’s coxless pair (BLM2-) –  Final

 Chile got off to a great start with Mexico hot on their heels. However, by the halfway marker, there was just 0.04 seconds separating the USA and Chile – both looked set for a medal with Mexico slipping back, but who would get gold? Even though it was just three crews, it was a very competitive race at the front of the field. Chile just had a little bit more. It was gold for Manuel Fernandez Antri and Felipe Guerra, the USA taking the silver and Mexico missing out on a medal. It was a repeat of the result of the preliminary race.

Result: CHI, USA, MEX

U23 lightweight women’s quadruple sculls (BLW4x) – Final

With just two crews, it was all to play for in this race. With a much higher rating off the start, Canada got off fast. Germany had won the preliminary race, but who would claim the single medal this time? Germany had moved into the lead by 500m and started to open up more of a gap by halfway. The German crew were looking absolutely dominant in the final 500m, there was nothing the host nation could do.

Result: GER, CAN

U23 lightweight men’s quadruple sculls (BLM4x)- Final

Once again just two crews, once again Germany and Canada. Could the men reverse the result of the women? There was less than a second between the two crews at 500m with Germany narrowly in the lead. They started to increase their lead in the second quarter and had over two seconds by halfway. There was nothing Canada could do. It was another World U23 Championship title for Germany.

Result: GER, CAN

U23 women’s pair (BW2-)- Final A

A full house in this one. Great Britain and Germany both got off to an absolute flyer – at 42 strokes per minute. Great Britain were the first to 500m with Germany hot on their heels. At halfway, Spain had moved into silver medal position with the Netherlands in third, as Germany had slipped out of the pack slightly. With 500m to go, GB were continuing to lead, Spain just over a second behind. Could the Spanish do anything in the closing stages? It all started to close up – the chase was on, but the British had another gear – Anna Grace and Holly Youd held on to the lead and claimed Great Britain’s first medal of the Championships. Spain won silver, and in a fantastic sprint to the line, France came from fifth to third in the last 250m.

Result: GBR, ESP, FRA, GER, NED, AUT

U23 men’s pair (BM2-)- Final A

New Zealand took the early lead in this one and there was just 0.21 seconds separating them and Germany 500m into the race with the rest of the field very close behind. The field was equally as close at halfway with the Kiwis still leading. 500m to go and New Zealand were still leading, with Germany just over half a second behind. It was still all to play for as far as the medals were concerned! Germany were starting to produce some incredible speed as the race came into the red buoys, indicating the last part of the race. It could still go any way! Romania had now come into the mix too! New Zealand threw their arms up in the air – they had done it. World U23 Champions, and also a new World Championship Best Time in this boat class by 0.29 seconds. Behind them, Germany held off a late charge from Italy – these two will be on the podium too. What a race!

Result: NZL, GER, ITA, ROU, USA, SLO

U23 women’s quadruple sculls (BW4x)- Final A

Romania had the highest stroke rate off the start but that didn’t gain them the lead. Poland were the early leaders. Poland still held the lead at 500m, but the time for the defending World U23 Champions, Romania was identical. Romania made their move in the second quarter of the race and opened up three quarters of a length ahead of Poland with Great Britain sitting in third, holding off any attack from Germany. Romania were really starting to look strong and confident in the final quarter of the race. Surely nobody could catch them? They couldn’t! Romania successfully defended their title in this boat class and set a new World Championship Best Time in the process. A strong performance from them. Poland finished second and Great Britain third.

Result: ROU, POL, GBR, GER, AUS, ITA

The remainder of the finals across the U23 boat classes will be raced tomorrow, Friday 23 August, starting from 14:00 EST. Full coverage will be here at worldrowing.com.