~ Thrilling double sculls semifinals, surprise eliminations and a historic first for Somalia headline another gripping day at the 2026 World Rowing Championships.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 27.08.2026) :: The third day on the Bosbaan in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, delivered yet more close racing at the 2026 World Rowing Championships.
The day ended with a superb men’s double sculls semifinal that saw the Netherlands, 2025 world silver medallists Serbia, and Spain safely progress to Friday’s final A. But the world best time holders, Croatia, and the Olympic champions, Romania, both crashed out of medal contention.
In the women’s double sculls, Switzerland produced a stunning finish to claim a place in the final, coming through to take top spot ahead of the Dutch reigning champions.
Meanwhile, Lithuania, who posted the fastest heat time, missed out on the final after Canada – who have not competed internationally as a double this season – caught them in the last 500m. 2025 bronze medallists Tatsiana Klimovich and Alena Furman (AIN) were also off the pace and will race the final B.
There were fewer surprises in the pairs semifinals. Defending champions Romania, on the women’s side, and New Zealand, on the men’s, seem on track for back-to-back gold medals after winning their semifinals.
In the women’s event, 2025 silver medallists France and 2026 World Rowing Cup winners Czechia are among the other finalists. Meanwhile, 2025 bronze medallists Switzerland were the biggest names to miss out on the men’s final.
Latin American rowing fans have plenty to look forward to in the lightweight single sculls finals, with Mexico and Uruguay both qualifying their men’s and women’s entrants through to the medal races.
Earlier on, the women’s and men’s single sculls events both got underway, with the favourites all progressing without too much trouble. However, reigning women’s single sculls champion Fiona Murtagh (IRL) was narrowly pipped to victory in her heat after an excellent performance from Paige Badenhorst (RSA).
Abdirahman Hassan became the first Somali rower to compete at a World Rowing Championships, but will not race again after finishing 37th in the men’s single sculls heats and therefore being eliminated from the minor finals.
Racing continues on the Bosbaan on Thursday 27 August with heats of the PR1 single sculls and minor finals from 13:05 CEST, followed by semifinals and A-finals from 15:25 CEST.
Responses
Leave your comment