Seven U.S. Crews Win Opening Races at World Rowing Cup II

The United States opened competition at World Rowing Cup II in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with an impressive performance on Friday, winning seven races and advancing multiple crews to semifinals and finals. U.S. athletes claimed victories in the men's and women's single sculls, men's and women's pairs, women's double sculls, women's four, and women's quadruple sculls, highlighting a strong start to the international regatta.

Olympian Jacob Plihal won his opening race in the men's single sculls, leading from start to finish. Plihal established an advantage in the first 500 meters and steadily increased his margin throughout the race, crossing the line in 6:50.66, nearly five seconds ahead of Italy in second place.

Sam Melvin finished second in his men's single sculls heat to advance to the semifinal. Melvin sat in third place early before methodically working through the field. He moved into second by the halfway mark and took the lead in the third 500 meters. Uzbekistan's Pavel Sorin surged in the closing meters to narrowly edge Melvin, winning in 6:49.21 to Melvin's 6:49.34. Melvin advances to the semifinals tomorrow. 

In the women's single sculls, Olympian Grace Joyce won her heat after taking the lead in the opening 500 meters and holding off a challenge from the Czech Republic throughout the race. Joyce crossed the finish line in 7:26.39 to secure a spot in the A final.

The U.S. men's pair crews both advanced to the semifinals. Sam Sullivan and Nathan Phelps won their heat in 6:32.16 after building an early lead and maintaining control of the race. They finished more than three seconds ahead of Croatia. Olympic bronze medalist Peter Chatain and Gus Rodriguez placed second in their heat behind Italy, crossing in 6:32.55. After battling Turkey through the opening quarter of the race, they pulled clear to secure second place and semifinal qualification.

The two U.S. women's pairs raced against each other in their opening heat. Italy led early, while Olympians and 2025 World Champions Kate Knifton and Teal Cohen settled into second followed by Olympians Regina Salmons and Molly Bruggeman in third. Knifton and Cohen made their move in the third 500 meters, drawing level with Italy before taking control in the sprint. They crossed first in 6:56.73, 3.01 seconds ahead of Italy and recorded the fastest time in the event. Salmons and Bruggeman finished third in 7:01.99. Both U.S. crews advanced to Sunday's A final.

Olympians Lauren O’Connor and Kristi Wagner captured the win in the women's double sculls. The Americans established an early lead and held off a late challenge from New Zealand to finish first in 6:53.74 and advance to the A final.

The U.S. women's four posted a dominant victory in its preliminary race. Etta Carpender, Olympian Azja Czajkowski, Mia Levy, and Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson led from the start and increased their advantage at every marker, crossing the finish line in 6:19.80. New Zealand followed in second in 6:26.71.

The women's quadruple sculls crew continued the momentum with another U.S. victory. Olympian Emily Kallfelz, Olympian Sophia Vitas, Evan Park, and Isa Darvin battled China through the first 500 meters before making a decisive move in the second quarter of the race. The Americans pulled away to win in 6:13.31, finishing 7.32 seconds ahead of the field and securing their lane assignment for Sunday's final.

In the men's double sculls, Cedar Cunningham and James Wright placed third in their heat to advance to the semifinal. Running fourth through much of the race, the duo produced a strong sprint over the final 500 meters to overtake Uzbekistan and secure qualification in the semifinal. 

The U.S. men's four of Josh Diggons, Olympic bronze medalist Chris Carlson, Jacob Hudgins, and Mike Herman finished fifth in a tightly contested heat. The crew sat in third after the opening 500 meters but slipped back in the middle stages. The Americans will race in Sunday's B final.

Racing continues tomorrow with preliminary races for the men's and women's eights and semifinals. Results and information can be found here.