Monday Morning Debrief: Reflections from Varese

Varese once again put on a show as some of the best rowers from around Europe travelled to Italy for the 2026 European Rowing Championships. With packed grandstands throughout the regatta, there was huge support and the competition was intense.

Nineteen Nations claim medals

Across the two days of medal finals, a total of 19 nations picked up medals. Whilst Romania topped the table with a staggering six gold medals (out of 24 boat classes), Germany picked up the most medals overall; taking home five gold, six silver and one bronze.

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New European Best Times

Warm waters and a strong tail wind (particularly on day two) allowed for several new European Championship Best Times to be set. A development men’s four from Great Britain (not the crew that we will see at the World Rowing Championships) shaved a fraction of a second off the time that Romania had set in Plovdiv last year whilst the Great Britain PR3 mixed four went nearly five second faster than their own Best Time set in 2023. Germany’s Oliver Zeidler set a new Best Time in the men’s single sculls semifinal, clocking 6:37.86.

Romania rules the eights

Three of Romania’s six gold medals came in eights events. Romania overtook the German men’s eight in the second half of the race to become European Champions whilst their women led from the start and finished comfortably ahead of Great Britain. They also became the first-ever European Champions in the mixed eight – a boat class we will see them look to win on the world stage in a few weeks.

Defending champions in single sculls

The Single Sculls events boat classes saw many reigning European Champions defend their titles; Great Britain’s Benjamin Pritchard and Ukraine’s Anna Sheremet won the PR1 men’s and women’s single sculls respectively. Whilst British women’s sculler Lauren Henry defended her title, Yeulheni Zalaty (AIN) wasn’t able to defend his title in the men’s single sculls –  the honours went to the reigning Olympic Champion, Oliver Zeidler (GER). Meanwhile, there were some new names on the scene in the lightweight single sculls – last year’s European Champion in the lightweight men’s single sculls, Fabio Kress (GER) got pipped by Greece’s Petros Gkaidatzis whilst in the women’s class, Mariia Zhovner (AIN2) improved on her bronze medal from last year.

All eyes on Amsterdam

Whilst Varese hosted the best rowers from around Europe, the rest of the world will join the party later this month as Amsterdam hosts the World Rowing Championships between 24-30 August. More than 850 athletes from 64 nations will descend on the “Bosbaaan” rowing course with the Men’s Eight featuring its largest World Championship field in fifteen years, and a stacked field in the Women’s Single Sculls including Paris 2024 Olympic Champion Karolien Florijn racing on home waters.