"VAN" (Sports Desk - 29.06.2026) :: The USA lifted their first-ever overall World Rowing Cup trophy on Sunday in Lucerne after a strong performance across the two regattas they attended, World Rowing Cups II and III.
Earning 67 points from World Rowing Cup II in Plovdiv, and 47 from World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, the USA had too much of a margin for any other nation to close up.
The USA’s win was driven particularly by their women’s sweep squad, taking gold medals in the women’s pair and four in both Plovdiv and Lucerne, plus gold and bronze in the women’s eight. However, men’s single sculler Sam Melvin, who won in Plovdiv and took bronze in Lucerne, two silvers in the men’s pair, and bronze in the men’s double sculls in Lucerne also contributed.
Great Britain came closest to upsetting the USA. After finishing second to the Netherlands in Seville, the British picked up five gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the Olympic-class events – plus gold in the PR1 men’s single sculls – to top the medal and points table in Lucerne.
With several crews rejigged since Seville, Britain took the wins in the men’s and women’s quadruple sculls, women’s eight, men’s four, women’s single sculls, and the PR1 men’s single sculls, as well as silver in the men’s eight and bronze in the women’s four. Lauren Henry in the women’s single sculls, the men’s four, and the women’s quadruple sculls crews all secured the World Rowing Cup event trophies for their nation.
The Netherlands won gold and the World Rowing Cup trophies for the women’s double sculls and men’s eight. Belgium’s Aaron Andries and Tibo Vyvey shocked the field with victory in the men’s double sculls.
The regatta ended with another victory for Oliver Zeidler (GER) in the men’s single sculls, after he also took the win in Seville. Zeidler, along with the German men’s quadruple sculls, was also the event World Cup winner.
In total, 21 nations featured on the World Rowing Cup III medal table, including 11 winning gold medals.
The senior international rowing season will continue at the 2026 European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, between 31 July and 2 August, before concluding at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between 24-30 August.
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