"VAN" (Sports Desk - 09.08.2026) :: The Australian Rowing Team (ART) won two bronze medals at the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on Saturday, extending its medal run at every international still-water regatta this year.
The two bronze medals marked a brilliant finale for the Australian Rowing team (ART) in Plovdiv, adding gloss to the strong showing by its third crew, the Women’s Quadruple Scull that placed second in the C-Final on Friday.
For Rowing Australia (RA), the results reinforce optimism in the future in an international season that has celebrated Australian success, from its Senior Men’s, Women’s and Para rowing squads, to the ‘Australia A’ team and the Australian Under 19 and 23 squads that run under RA’s Pathways Program.
The ‘Rowsellas’ 2026 season includes medals at World Cup I in Seville, Spain (2 Medals - 1 Gold, 1 Silver), the Holland Bekker International Regatta in Amsterdam, Netherlands (5 Medals - 4 Gold, 1 Silver), World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland (9 Medals - 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze), and the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany (5 Medals - 3 Gold, 2 Bronze).
Next up for the Rowsellas is the marquee regatta of the 2026 season, the World Rowing Championships for the Senior Men’s, Women’s and Para rowing teams to be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands on August 24-30.
On Saturday, RA Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE said such an impressive season so far by the ART across the board not only reflects the commitment of athletes, coaches and staff, but also the unwavering support from Hancock Prospecting and RA Patron, Mrs Gina Rinehart AO.
From trials and selections through to the big stage of international competitions, Hancock Prospecting’s investment into rowing is central to Australian crews being able to prepare, perform and succeed globally.
RA is also grateful for the continued support from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Australian Sports Commission (ASC), and the Australian Government.
“We couldn't create the environment for success without the investment, encouragement, engagement and support of our partners and sponsors,” Thompson said.
“The senior rowers were also inspired by a recent visit by RA Patron, Mrs Rinehart at the AIS European Training Centre as they prepare for the upcoming World Championships.”
Thompson also praised RA Head of Pathways Jason Lane for the progress he and his team are making in identifying and developing a coterie of athletes that should figure in the selection frame for Brisbane 2032.
“Jason and his team have done a fabulous job this season,” Thompson said. “Reimagining the selection process, creating development opportunities, promoting teamwork and setting challenging standards has laid the foundation for not only this season but for Brisbane 2032.”
Lane lauded the athletes, coaches and staff on this year’s team for their commitment to the Pathways Program, while recognising there is much more work to be done in developing a talent pool of athletes in more boats.
Lane said all the crews that represented Australia in this year’s World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv deserved accolades.
“Our athletes, coaches and support staff should all be proud of what was achieved in Plovdiv,” Lane said.
“Representing Australia on the world stage is never easy and every crew embraced the challenge, competed with courage and gained valuable international experience.
“While we're pleased with many aspects of the campaign, we know there's still plenty of work ahead as we continue to strengthen depth across more boat classes and prepare athletes for future senior success.”
On Saturday in the Women’s Pair A-Final, the Victorian-based crew of Piper Hallam and Emma Peele, who are coached by Will Achermann, threw everything into their bid for glory. It was clear from the start that they had set off with winning intent to lead from the blocks at 45 strokes per minute.
At 500m Australia led, but by only 0.69s over Romania and 0.80s over Italy. Australia consolidated in the second 500m to go through 1000m in front 1.39s ahead of a momentum gaining Uzbekistan, followed by Italy at 1.69s.
In the third 500m, the pressure came on the Australians as Uzbekistan continued their push to pass 1500m in first place 1.08s ahead of Australia who were still in second place, but under pressure from Italy who were only 1.35s off the lead pace and 0.27s behind Australia.
In the end, Australia’s dogged spirit to take the race on from the start caught up with them as Italy forged ahead to win (7:10.77) from Uzbekistan (7:12.90) in second. But Australia’s third (7:17.90) to secure bronze 6.93s to Italy was an incredible display of effort and spirit.
Lane praised the attitude of the Australian pair to commit to its winning plan and then execute it to the point where they were rewarded with a medal.
“Piper and Emma showed exactly the sort of racing attitude we want to encourage,” Lane said.
“They had a clear plan to be aggressive from the start, they backed themselves against the world's best and committed to that strategy all the way through the race.
“To come away with a World Championships bronze medal is a fantastic reward for their courage, preparation and determination.”
In the Women’s Four A-Final, the Tom Gatti-coached West Australian crew of Oceane Jeannerat, Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi, Stella Wandel and Olivia Hansen-Knarhoi were equally as assured as the Pair in their A-Final.
Romania and Great Britain were the clear gold and silver medallists, but that Australia maintained their pace near the first two throughout in a race where the other three crews were much further behind showed class.
Lane lauded the Four for their development since being selected, especially in the lead-in to the regatta and eventual performance.
“This crew made significant gains throughout the campaign and their performance in the final reflected the quality of work they put in after selection,” Lane said.
“Tom and the athletes remained committed to continuous improvement, and to race so competitively against two outstanding crews from Romania and Great Britain was a strong indication of their potential and future opportunities at the international level.”
In the A-Final, Romania reminded everyone of their favouritism to lead from the start and by 500m have 1.03s on Great Britain in second and 2.62s on Australia. Those gaps extended respectively by 1000m and even more so by 1500m where the Romanians’ lead was 2.61s on Great Britain in second and 6.56s on Australia in third, and well ahead of the US crew in fourth.
At the finish, Romania won (6:36.78) convincingly from Great Britain (6:39.53) in second and Australia (6:46.69) in third with the rest trailing.
Romania’s confidence in their winning race plan was shown to all when one of their crew produced a Romanian flag from within their boat soon after the finish and raised it in celebration. But the golden smiles on the faces of the Australians soon after finishing reflected their satisfaction; and as important, their recognition for the opportunity these World Rowing Under 19 Championships has presented them with an eye on the future.
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