Racing Opens at World Cup Lucerne with Strong Performances from the U.S.

The 2025 World Rowing Cup kicked off in Lucerne, Switzerland, and U.S. crews opened racing with promising results, advancing multiple boats to semifinals and finals across the regatta’s first day of competition.

Olympians Teal Cohen and Kate Knifton delivered a standout performance in the women’s pair, winning their heat with a time of 7:14.33. After a tight opening 1,000 meters, they pulled away from Great Britain with a dominant third 500. They advance directly to Saturday’s semifinal.

The U.S. women’s fours impressed in their heat, with both entered boats advancing to the A Final. The crew of Etta Carpender, Olympian Azja Czajkowski, Camille VanderMeer, and Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson led from the start, holding off New Zealand to finish first by over two seconds. The second U.S. four, Olympians Charlotte Buck and Jess Thoennes, joined by Holly Drapp and Kaitlyn Kynast, climbed from fourth to third in the second 500 meters, edging Canada at the line by 0.56 seconds.

In the men’s four, Jacob Hudgins, Gus Rodriguez, Josh Diggons, and Olympian Christian Tabash showed their strength, finishing second in their heat with a time of 5:58.96. The Americans sat behind a fast Romanian crew and closed the gap in the third 500 meters, but were unable to overtake them. The U.S. four will race again in the semifinals tomorrow.

Olympian and single sculler Jacob Plihal moved to the men’s quadruple sculls, joining Olympian Chris Carlson, Cedar Cunningham, and Andrew Leroux. Battling Great Britain bow ball to bow ball through the first half of the race, the U.S. held tight until the British made a push in the third 500 meters. The Americans responded in the sprint but came up just short, finishing second in 5:47.00 — only 1.09 seconds back. The crew advances to Sunday’s A Final.

In the women’s double sculls, Olympian Grace Joyce and Katheryn Flynn started in fourth but surged into second with a strong move in the third 500. Though they closed the gap, they couldn’t overtake Great Britain, finishing 1.22 seconds behind in second place. They advance to tomorrow’s semifinal.

In the women’s eight, which combined athletes from the fours and pair lineups, the U.S. faced a strong field led by reigning Olympic champions Romania. The Americans maintained second position throughout the race, closing slightly in the third 500 on winner Romania but ultimately finishing 2.25 seconds back in 6:07.08. They advance to Sunday’s final.

In the men’s pair, Nathan Phelps and Alexander Hedge finished fourth in their heat in 6:45.64. The Swiss took the win, while Australia edged out Greece by just 0.01 seconds for second. Phelps and Hedge will race in the C Final.

In the preliminary men’s eight, Germany posted the fastest time at 5:30.93. The U.S. crew — Hudgins, Carlson, Leroux, Plihal, Diggons, Cunningham, Tabash, Rodriguez, and coxswain Caroline Ricksen — clocked a 5:46.60 to finish second. They will return for the final on Sunday.

On the women’s side, Maggie Fellows raced in the single sculls, finishing fourth in her heat with a time of 7:57.69. She moved from fifth to fourth during the second 500 meters and held position through the finish. Denmark’s Frida Sanggaard Nielsen took the win. Fellows will race in the C Final on Saturday.

Michael Herman and Caleb Nollenberger competed in the men’s double sculls, finishing sixth in their heat. In a tight battle with Switzerland, the Americans fell just short of fifth place by 0.98 seconds. Romania won the race in 6:19.50. The U.S. double will return for the D Final.

USRowing would like to thank Filippi Lido, the Official Boat Supplier for the U.S. Senior and Para National Teams. Under the agreement, Filippi is providing USRowing a fleet of boats for international competitions, including the World Rowing Cup regattas, World Rowing Championships, Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games, as well as a domestic training fleet for the USRowing Training Center.