2023 World Rowing Coastal Championships Underway in Barletta

The 2023 World Rowing Coastal Championships got underway today in Barletta, Italy, with heats in the women's quadruple sculls with coxswain, women's solo, and men's double sculls.

In the women's quadruple sculls with coxswain, USA 1 took second, while USA 2 took seventh. Though Spain's Club De Mar Clot De Lillot El Campello took an early lead, the top three finishers approached the beach almost side by side. Ultimately, the Next Level Rowing crew of Cara Stawicki, Morgan Hummel, Julia Lonchar, Jillian Zieff, and Peter Choi reached the finish line in an 18:28.67, just six seconds behind Spain and three seconds ahead of France's Aviron Seynois. USA 2, featuring a lineup of Brooke Downes, Kelli Anne Van Der Moer, Louisa Kolman, Jeni Sorli, and Coral Kasden, finished in a 19:13.16, taking seventh. With nine boats to advance, both crews will now race in Sunday afternoon's A final.

In the women's solo event, Next Level Rowing's Christine Cavallo finished third in the second heat and will now race in Sunday's A final. Cavallo reached the finish line in a 23:01.30. Monika Dukarska of Ireland's Killorglin Rowing Club took first in a 22:19.30, with Clare Jamison of Great Britain's Mumbles Amateur RC finishing second in a 22:52.76.

Racing in the last of three heats, Next Level Rowing's Chris Bak and Kory Rogers took first in the men's double sculls, crossing the finish line in an 18:32.75 after overtaking New Zealand Rowing's Michael Brake and Joseph Sullivan. In the first heat, Luke Eward and Malachi Anderson finished sixth with a time of 17:53.50. With six to advance, both crews will now race for medals on Sunday.

Click here for today's complete results.

Nine USA boats will hit the water for the first time on Saturday. The U.S. has one entry in the men's solo, two in the men's quadruple sculls with coxswain, and three in both the women's and mixed double sculls events. Racing will open with the remaining heats, with the first set of B finals scheduled for Saturday afternoon. A finals and remaining B finals will take place Sunday.

In total, more than 450 athletes from 32 nations are scheduled to compete in Barletta. Visit www.worldrowing.com for schedules, start lists, results, and live event updates. Racing will be livestreamed starting Saturday, October 7.