Great Britain makes a confident start to the 2026 World Rowing Championships

Racing is officially underway at the 2026 World Rowing Championships. After a 12-year wait, the Bosbaan welcomed the world with blustery headwinds throughout the first afternoon of racing.

After the Reserve crews took to the water in the morning, three British crews were in action across the first session of racing. All three will automatically advance to the next round of racing, after heat wins for both Double Sculls, and second-place for the Men’s Pair.

First down the track was Fergus Woolnough and Matt Aldridge in the Men’s Pair. After making their debut together at World Rowing Cup III, the British established a strong foothold in second place as the first half of the race unfolded. As Romania, the European Champions, led out, Aldridge and Woolnough controlled the race in the second 1000m to solidify their position in the second of two spots that would qualify directly for the semi-finals on Wednesday. Greece would finish third ahead of the United States of America and Slovenia.

“Our start wasn’t great, but the start to the regatta was good,” said Aldridge.

It was a really strong, quite tough headwind, and we haven’t done too much work into a headwind yet. However, Ferg backed it up really nicely. It just felt really strong and really powerful, and the middle k rhythm, which we’re quite good at, lasted longer.”

Credit: Benedict Tufnell

The Women’s Double Scull of Cam Nyland and Sarah McKay were next to race their heat. Lining up against Poland, Canada, Austria, and the Individual Neutral Athletes, Nyland and McKay cruised through their opening round of racing. The Canadians led for the opening 400m, but then the British bows hit the front of the field. Over the next 1600, the British duo would extend their advantage, winning by clear water over Poland and automatically qualifying for the semi-finals on Wednesday.

“That was really cool,” said 2025 World silver medallist McKay.

“It was windy, very windy! However, we’ve worked really hard on creating a strong, repeatable rhythm and we can just trust that. Even if it feels slow, or we bounce around, we can stick in it. I looked around, and we were at the front. We’ve been down in so many of our races, and it was really cool to see people behind us and push away.”

“It was long, and we haven’t had conditions like that in our training. We were so lucky with Varese, but now we’re trying to double down on the standards we have set whilst we were away and I think that’s what paid off in those conditions,” added Nyland.

Credit: Benedict Tufnell

Rounding off the British action was the Men’s Double Scull featuring Matt Haywood and Josh Knight. The Brits charged down the middle of the course and had clear water over the chasing field by halfway. Through the third quarter of the race, Haywood and Knight were firmly in control of the conditions. As Spain and Moldova fought for the second automatic qualifying spot for the quarterfinals, Great Britain remained firmly in control, crossing the line first in their opening heat of racing, ahead of the Spanish Double Scull. Haywood and Knight will race again in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

“That’s a long way in the headwind, but we made it sub-7,” said Knight.

“We had a good start, and we stepped out a bit. After 500m, we settled into our good rhythm and managed it well in the headwind to hold our position for the rest of it, so a good race overall.”

Credit: Benedict Tufnell

Tomorrow’s racing will see the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four, Men’s and Women’s Fours, and the Men’s and Women’s Quadruple Sculls race in their opening heats. The Men’s Double Sculls will race in the quarterfinals.

“Today was a strong start from all three crews, highlighted by wins in both Double Sculls,” said Interim Performance Director Tom Dyson.

“While it is only day one, today’s racing set a positive tone to start the championships.”

Follow the World Rowing Championships

Monday’s Results (24 August 2026)

The post Great Britain makes a confident start to the 2026 World Rowing Championships appeared first on British Rowing.