Thames rowers shine on the international stage
Thames rowers were in action around the world at the end of July, competing at the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, the FISU World University Games, and the Home International Regatta.
In Poznan, Poland, Isaac Thurnham and Tristan Wenger both represented Great Britain in the under 23 men’s four and eight respectively. Thames alumnus Drew Weightman was also racing in Poznan, representing Australia in the men’s eight.
Both crews were the fastest from the heats and semifinals. In the final, the men’s eight showed why they were the favourites, moving out from the start and winning by about a length - the sixth gold medal in this event in a row.
Isaac’s four was involved in one of the closest finals of the regatta; they found themselves edged out of the medals by 0.12 seconds in a sprint finish to the line.
At the World University Games in Duisburg, Germany, Zahir Ala and Josh Burke both raced in the British men’s eight. Thames member Felix Rawlinson was also competing, representing Oxford University in the men’s pair.
The men’s 8 won their heat by a couple of seconds ahead of Poland; in the final, the Netherlands were fastest out of the blocks but the British students moved through into the lead by halfway and were able to stay ahead to the line, even as Poland and the Dutch scrapped it out for silver and bronze.
Felix and his pairs partner Toby Lassen (Oxford Brookes) were second to 500m in their final, before Italy found a little more speed and moved into silver-medal position. However, the top three were never in doubt, and the British pair won an excellent bronze in a classy field led by Lithuania’s Stankunas twins, who raced at the Olympics last year in the pair.
The Home International Regatta was hosted by Wales at Dorney Lake and there were eight Thames athletes participating. Five came away with medals.
Imogen Wolstencroft won the women’s coxed four for Wales, and along with Lucy Edmunds raced in the Welsh women’s eight that won the 2000m race - the first time Wales have won this event. Emily Strange and Tara Grimsley-Moore raced for England in the women’s eight, winning the sprint event. Charlie Gosling also represented England, winning the 2000m and sprint races in the men’s eight.
Charlie also raced in the men’s coxless four, finishing second; Tara and Emily raced with Helena Barton and Francesca Lidlow in the women’s coxless four, where they were also second. Sophia Stiling represented Wales in the women’s pair and in the women’s eight sprint event alongside Imogen.
