PR3 Mixed Four Wins Gold, Justin Schmidt Claims Bronze at World Cup III

The United States continued its impressive showing at the 2026 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Saturday, earning two medals while advancing every remaining crew into Sunday's A Finals. The PR3 mixed four with coxswain captured gold decisively, Justin Schmidt claimed bronze in the men's lightweight single sculls, and the U.S. secured spots in nine championship finals across Olympic boat classes, setting up a strong final day of racing.

PR3 Mixed Four with Coxswain Final

The U.S. captured its first gold medal of the regatta in commanding fashion in the PR3 mixed four with coxswain. The crew of Hannah Diaz, Paralympian Alex Flynn, Max Allemeier, Paralympian Skylar Dahl, and Elizabeth Margolin matched Australia through the opening 500 meters before making a decisive move in the second quarter of the race. The Americans opened a lead of more than three seconds by the halfway mark and continued to extend their advantage, crossing the finish line in 7:00.27, more than eight seconds ahead of Ukraine.

Men's Lightweight Single Sculls Final

The United States placed two athletes in the A Final of the men's lightweight single sculls. Justin Schmidt spent the race locked in a battle with the Netherlands for the final podium position, with the two boats separated by inches as they entered the last 500 meters. Schmidt delivered a powerful finishing sprint to pull clear and secure the bronze medal in 7:05.16. Hong Kong won the event, while American Sean Richardson finished sixth.

Men's Single Sculls Semifinal

Sam Melvin continued his breakout regatta by advancing to the A Final of the men's single sculls. Reigning Olympic champion Oliver Zeidler established an early lead, while Melvin sat fourth after the opening 500 meters. The American steadily worked through the field, moving into second at the halfway point before unleashing another impressive closing sprint. Melvin cut Zeidler's five-second advantage to just 1.22 seconds at the finish, securing second place and a spot in Sunday's final.

Men's Pair Semifinal

Olympian Pieter Quinton and Madison Molitor won their semifinal after holding off a late charge from Greece. The field remained tightly packed through the opening 500 meters before the Americans moved into the lead during the second quarter of the race. Quinton and Molitor built nearly a four-second advantage entering the final 500 meters, but Greece stormed back over the closing strokes. The U.S. held on to win in 6:26.06, edging Greece by just 0.07 seconds.

Women's Pair Semifinal

The two U.S. women's pairs raced in the same semifinal, with the Czech Republic separating the American crews through much of the race. Mia Levy and Olympian Regina Salmons sat just behind the leaders before producing a dominant sprint over the final 500 meters, surging past the Czech crew to win by three seconds in 7:03.45. Etta Carpender and Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson finished third in 7:08.75 to also advance to the A Final. Both U.S. crews will return to race for medals on Sunday before joining forces in the women's eight.

Men's Double Sculls Semifinal

Cedar Cunningham and Olympian Jacob Plihal secured a place in the A Final with a third-place finish in their semifinal. Great Britain established control early, while the United States, Portugal, and Belgium battled for the remaining qualifying positions. The Americans held their composure over the closing sprint, crossing the line in 6:13.23 to advance.

Women's Double Sculls Semifinal

The women's double sculls produced one of the closest races of the morning. Switzerland led through the opening half before Olympians Emily Kallfelz and Sophia Vitas moved into first during the third 500 meters, with Evan Park and Isa Darvin close behind. Four boats finished within 0.48 seconds of one another, but the Americans emerged with the top two positions as Kallfelz and Vitas claimed the victory, and Park and Darvin finished second. Both U.S. crews advance to Sunday's A Final.

Men's Four Semifinal

Both U.S. men's fours earned places in the A Final.

In the first semifinal, Olympian Peter Chatain, Olympian Chris Carlson, Sam Sullivan, and Nathan Phelps battled France and Romania throughout the race. France maintained a narrow lead while the Americans gained ground on Romania in the third 500 meters. Romania mounted a late sprint, but the U.S. held on for second in 5:54.87, just 0.08 seconds ahead of Romania.

In the second semifinal, Josh Diggons, Gus Rodriguez, Jacob Hudgins, and Mike Herman settled into third before making their move over the closing 500 meters. The American crew surged past the Netherlands in the final sprint to finish second in 5:55.91, more than one second clear of the Dutch and safely into the A Final.

Medals will be decided in all remaining events on Sunday as the United States looks to close out World Rowing Cup III with another strong day on the water. Results and information can be found here.