World Rowing Virtual Indoor Sprints 2025 Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with Fast Results

The World Rowing Virtual Indoor Sprints, a collaboration between World Rowing and Concept2, took place from March 5-9, 2025, for its 10th edition. Athletes from around the World registered on the Concept2 Online Logbook and sprinted 1,000 meters on the Concept2 Indoor Rower (models A-E, without sliders).

This year, 5,047 competitors participated from 88 countries, rowing from their homes, sheds, gyms, and rowing clubs in various conditions. Sweden’s Anders Edquist, representing Hammarby Rodd, beat over 3,000 other men’s openweight rowers to take the title, clocking in at 2:48.7. That’s a blistering average pace of 1:24.3 per 500m. Ben Stephens from Britain finished runner-up with 2:49.5, while third place was shared between James Hudson, also from Britain, and Pavel Fofonka from the Czechia, both posting a time of 2:49.6.

In the lightweight men’s category, Spanish athlete German Rendo, rowing in Palma de Mallorca, pulled an impressive 3:07.6 to be crowned lightweight men’s champion. At the age of 56, he outpaced many competitors’ decades younger than him. Britain’s Alexander Chklar finished narrowly behind, with Sweden’s Jakob Högström from Rowfit securing third.

In the women’s openweight competition, SPU team member Lina Bélanger from Canada was crowned champion, finishing in 3:17.6. Faroe Islands athlete Vár Guriardóttir Hansen and Britain’s Rachael Mcilwraith joined her on the podium with times of 3:19.3 and 3:21.6, respectively.

Faroe Islands’ Sarita Kristina Hansen, from the well-known international indoor rowing club SUB-7 IRC, won the lightweight women’s race after clocking 3:29.0. Britain’s Justine Reston, affiliated with Fitness Matters, claimed second place, followed by France’s Mélanie Leucat.

The women’s U19 champion, Anna Brennan from Ireland, finished in 3:35.8. The men’s U19 winner was Mason Gossage from the US, the sole youth athlete to break the 3-minute barrier, recording a time of 2:59.8.

In a highly competitive field, Milan Lackovic, representing Fitko from Slovakia, won the Men’s PR3 category with a time of 3:04.1. Nikki Ayers claimed victory in the Women’s PR3 equivalent, finishing in 3:32.0.

Notable competitors included Britain’s veteran athlete Valarie Coleman, who, at 96 years old, delivered a strong finish of 6:11.2, a faster result than many athletes half her age. Japan’s Shion also deserves special credit; racing at just 5 years old, he is already quite experienced, having competed last year at the age of 4!

Alex Dunne, Managing Director for Concept2, commented, “We’re excited to see the truly global reach of the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Sprints. This event exemplifies Concept2’s commitment to promoting rowing across diverse communities.”