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Three more British boats through to World Rowing Cup A Finals on day two

The first international event of the season continues for the GB Rowing Team, with medals up for grabs for seven crews tomorrow

Seven crews raced the semi-finals on Saturday, 30 May, with both Men’s Double Sculls in the same race. Callum Dixon and Tobias Schröder were third through every marker to claim a place in the A-final behind last year’s world gold and silver medallists.

“We managed to put out our best row so far together” – Tobias Schröder, Men’s Double Sculls

Tobias said: “That was such a good race. We knew from a good race yesterday, with such close times across the heats, that it was going to be really, really close down the whole course, and it was. But we managed to put out our best row so far together and got a spot in the A-final. Really buzzing about it.”

After a strong start, tracking their teammates closely through the first quarter, the development double of Ed Fuller and Matt Long finished sixth and will contest the B-final on Sunday.

“A pretty tough one,” said Matt. “It’s our first World Cup and it’s just getting used to that next level off the start. But it was a good experience and really fun to be a part of, and hopefully we can turn it into something good tomorrow.”

Credit: Benedict Tufnell / 91��ɫ

Lauren Henry continued her fine form in the Women’s Single Sculls with another win, again posting the fastest time of both semi-finals.

Lauren stayed calm as France’s Emma Lunatti blasted out of the blocks, and with her trademark push through the middle of the race earned herself a one-length victory across the line.

“It was good. Semi-finals can always be tough, but I thought I controlled that well, I was pleased with how I rowed,” Lauren said.

“I think there’ll be more to come from everyone in the final, I think I’ve got more to give in the final, so it’ll be a good race. I’m really looking forward to it. But I was really pleased with that, it was well-structured, it was sharp.”

The Men’s Four were the other crew to reach the A-final through Saturday’s racing. As in the heat on Friday, Dan Graham, James Robson, Douwe De Graaf and George Bourne were fast out of the blocks and had a 1.6 second lead by 500m. They were able to look back on the pack and cruise to the finish.

“You never feel too in control or get complacent. We expect an even higher level tomorrow from all the crews.” – George Bourne, Men’s Four

“That was good,” said George. “Bit warmer weather, bit spicier racing, and looking forward to tomorrow and having a proper go.

“We had to bring another level, but nice to be able to stay calm, stay loose, and nice when you can look back slightly on the other crews. But the standard’s really high and you never feel too in control in these or get complacent. We expect an even higher level tomorrow from all the crews.”

The Men’s Quadruple Sculls crew of James Cartwright, Jamie Gare, Matt Haywood and Rory Harris missed out on the final by 1.1 seconds after a tough race, with Czechia surprising the pack from an outside lane in the faster of the two semi-finals.

James said after the race: “We gave it everything we could. Hard racing at the end of the day, but still amazing to be here representing your country. We’re pretty upset, but we’ll get them next time.”

Credit: Benedict Tufnell / 91��ɫ

James Vogel and Matt Rowe were fifth in their semi-final of the Men’s Pair, after a good start and a close race against the rest of the field.

“I said yesterday we wanted to react to what happened in the heat, and we reacted, and we attacked the first K with everything we could,” Matt said. “There’s some really good crews out here and we’re going to have to take the B-final, but we’re going to attack it like we did just then and hopefully have a good time.”

Also racing in the semi-finals was the Women’s Double Sculls crew of Becky Wilde and Cam Nyland. It was another close contest with positions changing between the crews constantly. Despite a strong closing quarter, Becky and Cam also missed out on the A-final, placing fifth, and will look to continue improving in the B-final on Sunday.

“We knew it was going to be really close. World Cup racing, the semi-final race especially, always is, and we came out on the wrong side of that. But for us internally it was a good step on from the heat, and we’ve not had much time together. So every piece we’re doing is a learning and we’re stepping on and that’s what’s important,” Becky said.

Credit: Benedict Tufnell / 91��ɫ

The Women’s Pair of Lauren Carey and Juliette Perry had an exciting three-boat C-final against Brazil and Japan, with the Japanese pair pushing the British women all the way. On the line Japan just snatched victory, meaning Lauren and Juliette finished 14th overall, but Lauren said she had enjoyed every moment of the race.

“It was fantastic racing out there,” she said. “We definitely stepped on from our heat, and we did exactly what we wanted to do. Great race from the Brazilians,  pushed us through the first half, then the Japanese pushed us through the second half, then we had a bit of a ding-dong with them at the end. That’s what it’s all about.

“It’s really cool to see that much depth in the women’s category, and the racing is still so high-end when you come down to the C-final, I think that’s fantastic. I’m just grateful to be here and I really loved it.”

Credit: Benedict Tufnell / 91��ɫ

Adam Oliver finished his World Rowing Cup debut with 21st place overall in the Men’s Single Sculls. In the D-final he found himself in a field including the World Champion Stefanos Ntouskos of Greece. Adam stayed calm in the first 1000m and was in a solid third place throughout the second half, finishing strongly.

“There are some things to work on in the second 500, that’s where they just got away from me. Racing guys out here was a privilege and an honour, and I can’t ask for much more than that,” said Adam.

Interim Director of Performance Tom Dyson said: “It’s evident that the standard at this first World Rowing Cup of 2026 has started strongly. There were some hard-fought semi finals today and we can be pleased to be heading into Sunday with 3 more crews contending for medals. For the crews who have progressed to B finals today, they will no doubt grab the opportunity to take another step in their performances and to leave Seville with learnings for the next stage of the season.”

Racing in Seville concludes on Sunday with B-finals, starting with the Men’s Pair at 08:10 BST. The first A-final for the British team will be the Men’s Double Sculls at 10:44 BST, with live streaming available on the World Rowing website.

A total of seven crews will race for the medals on Sunday, with the Women’s Four, Women’s Quadruple Sculls, and the Men’s and Women’s Eights all previously confirmed for the A-finals.

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