Pimenov and Henry rewrite the record books at 35th SilverSkiff

Serbia’s Nikolaj Pimenov and Great Britain’s Lauren Henry set new course records to win the men’s and women’s titles at the 35th edition of the iconic 11km single sculls regatta in Torino, Italy.

Two course records, two international victories and more than 750 competitors made for a memorable 35th edition of the SilverSkiff, the renowned long-distance single sculls regatta held on the River Po in Torino, Italy.

Serbia’s Nikolaj Pimenov delivered the weekend’s standout performance, winning the men’s race in 40:15.980 to break the course record set by Italy’s Gabriel Soares in 2022. Pimenov finished ahead of Croatia’s three-time Olympic champion Martin Sinković, who took second in 40:42.237, with the Netherlands’ Jan van der Bij completing the podium in 40:43.478.

In the women’s race, Great Britain’s Lauren Henry also made history, stopping the clock at 43:03.532 to take victory and break a record that had stood for 25 years. Her time bettered the previous mark of 43:11, set by Italy’s Elisabetta Brugo in 2001.

The Netherlands’ Roos De Jong, winner of the previous three editions from 2022 to 2024, finished second in 44:29.511, while Switzerland’s Fabienne Schweizer claimed third in 44:35.503.

11km Test on the River Po

The SilverSkiff is an 11km endurance race for single scullers, starting and finishing at the historic Reale Società Canottieri Cerea rowing club in Turin. The course follows the River Po towards the Isolotto di Moncalieri before turning back towards the finish.

Unlike a conventional side-by-side regatta, the long-distance format puts a premium on pacing, technical efficiency and the ability to maintain speed over the full course. Competitors must also negotiate the river’s bends and bridges, making course knowledge and precise steering important parts of the challenge.

The event’s appeal extends well beyond Italy, with athletes from around the world travelling to Turin to test themselves against an international field and the distinctive demands of the River Po.

From Local Challenge to International Rowing Tradition

The SilverSkiff began in 1992 as an initiative of Cerea club member Vittorio Soave, an antiquarian bookseller and passionate rower. His idea was simple: challenge single scullers from Cerea and other Turin rowing clubs to cover the 11km route between the club and the Isolotto di Moncalieri.

What began with just 13 participants has grown into one of Europe’s best-known individual long-distance rowing events. The regatta entered the Italian Rowing Federation’s regional calendar in 1994, expanded to senior and junior athletes in 1996, and joined the national calendar in 1997. In 2002, it received international regatta status on the FISA calendar, helping establish its place on the international rowing scene.

The event’s growing reputation attracted some of the sport’s biggest names. New Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale, who went on to become Olympic champion in the single sculls at London 2012, first competed in 2006 after hearing about the regatta through the international rowing community. He returned on several occasions, winning the event six times and becoming one of its most celebrated competitors.

Other Olympic and World Championship medallists to have competed over the years include Norway’s Olaf Tufte, Belarus’ Ekaterina Karsten and a host of leading Italian, German and international rowers.

More than a Race

The SilverSkiff weekend extends beyond the senior competition. Alongside the main event, the Kinderskiff youth race and Silver Vintage bring together younger and master rowers, with more than 1,000 single scullers taking to the River Po over the weekend.

Much of the event’s success is built on the work of the local rowing community. Around 120 volunteers from Cerea help run the regatta, supported by other Turin rowing clubs that provide facilities, boats, and safety support along the course.

The 35th edition also marked another step in the event’s environmental efforts, introducing a formal Sustainability Plan featuring water dispensers, waste sorting and reusable cups.

With its elite competition, grassroots participation, and welcoming international atmosphere, the SilverSkiff has grown from a local club challenge into a distinctive fixture on the international rowing calendar.

Thirty-five editions on, the challenge remains the same: 11 kilometres on the River Po, one single scull, and a test of endurance against some of the world’s best rowers.