The prestigious World Rowing Championships are here, set to commence today, September 3rd in Belgrade, Serbia.
Excitingly, this year it’s not just a showcase of the world’s top rowing talent, but it also serves as a qualifier for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics with a total of 114 Paris 2024 spots available across 14 Olympic boat classes, 57 for men and 57 for women.
This year, the event is especially exciting for followers of the Boat Race, as a significant number of former Cambridge and Oxford rowers are representing their respective countries. Here’s a comprehensive look:
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Roman Röösli (Oxford BB ‘22): Bow seat of the Swiss Men’s coxless pair, Roman’s had a great season so far with early success at World Cup I followed by some head to head action against his Boat Race 2022 competitors in the GB Pair, Ollie and Tom.
Australia 🇦🇺
Jack Robertson (Oxford BB ‘22): Taking the 5 seat in the Australian Men’s eight Jack will be sitting directly opposite his 2022 crewmate Charlie Elwes in the GB eight. Australia are coming into the event as the favourite among many rowing pundits, but the proof will be in the pudding.
USA 🇺🇸
Liam Corrigan (Oxford BB ‘22): Positioned in the vital stroke seat of the USA men’s coxless four, Corrigan is set to be a key player in the team’s performance in what is regarded to be the priority boat in the US team. Liam will be facing his former 2022 crewmate, David Ambler in the GB coxless four.
Germany 🇩🇪
Jan Helmich (Cambridge LM Spare 2- ‘19): Once again Jan will be in the GER PR3 Mix4+ looking to go one better than his silver medal-winning performance last year.
South Africa 🇿🇦
Paige Badenhorst (Cambridge BB ‘22): Partnering with Katherine Williams, she’s part of the RSA W2x. They secured a notable bronze at World Cup I in Zagreb earlier this season.
Bermuda 🇧🇲
Dara Alizadeh (Cambridge BB ‘18 & ‘19): An Olympian from Tokyo, Alizadeh will be the BER 1x competitor seeking to improve his finishing position from 2022 in what is one of the most competitive and heavily subscribed events at the regatta.
Great Britain 🇬🇧
Imogen Grant (Cambridge LWBB ’16, Blondie ’16, BB ’17, ’18 & ’22): Looking to extend their unbeaten run, she’ll be defending her title in the GBR lightweight women’s double sculls alongside Emily Craig.
Freddie Davidson (Cambridge BB ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20) & David Ambler (Oxford ‘22): World Champions in 2022, they’ll be looking to make it back to back victories as well as secure their spot for Paris 2024.
Charlie Elwes (Oxford BB ‘22): Occupying the 5 seat of the GB men’s eight, Charlie and his crewmates have taken part in some of the most thrilling racing action we’ve seen this season. Facing down his 2022 crewmate Jack Robertson, this could be a thrilling duel, one to watch!
Tom George and Ollie Wynne-Griffith (Cambridge BB ‘22): These bronze medallists from 2022 will race as the Great Britain coxless pair. Following a successful World Cup season as well as winning the Silver Goblets & Nickalls Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta could this be their year to become World Champions?
Henry Fieldman (Cambridge BB ‘13): Coxing the Great Britain women’s eight, Fieldman’s crew is entering the Championships with momentum, following a gold at World Cup III.
Erin Kennedy (Oxford BB ’14): Having returned to the sport earlier this year following an arduous 12 months of cancer treatment, Erin will be looking to add the World title to the European title she earned earlier this year.
Additionally, former CUBC Men’s Head Coach, Steve Trapmore, will be guiding the GB men’s eight.
Lastly, Juliette Perry (Oxford BB ’18) will be on stand-by as a reserve for the women’s team.
Best of luck to all these phenomenal athletes as they put their skills and determination on display in Belgrade. If you would like to watch there will be full coverage live streamed on the World Rowing website as well as coverage of the finals live on BBC for viewers in the UK.
The Boat Race community will undoubtedly be cheering them on, as well as getting behind their own national teams.
Stay tuned on our social channels for further updates as the Championships unfold!