Six Gold, Five Silver Medals Highlight U.S. Performance at World Cup II

The United States closed out World Rowing Cup II in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with an impressive 11-medal haul, earning five gold and five silver medals on Sunday. The Americans claimed victories in the men’s single sculls, women’s pair, women’s four, women’s quadruple sculls, and women’s eight, while adding silver medals in the men’s pair, women’s single sculls, women’s double sculls, and men’s eight. Several athletes raced multiple events, contributing to one of the strongest U.S. performances of the regatta.

“Plovdiv showed that we are making progress across the team and gave us a good picture of where we are at this point in the year," said Josy Verdonkschot, The McLane Family Chief High Performance Officer. "We know the field did not include every top crew, so we’re keeping the results in the right perspective, but we feel good about the direction of the team and the work being done across the group. There were encouraging signs in the way our crews competed, and at the same time, we know there is still a lot of work ahead if we want to build the depth, speed, and consistency required to contend in LA.”

In the men’s single sculls, the Americans kept their battle going as they took gold and silver. Sam Melvin and Jacob Plihal settled into second and third in the first 500 meters, as the crew from Uzbekistan took an early lead through the first half of the race. The Americans pushed past Kholmurzaev, with Melvin using the third 500 meters to establish a lead over Plihal. Plihal’s sprint closed the gap, but he was unable to overtake Melvin. Melvin won gold in a time of 6:39.83, followed closely by Plihal in 6:40.10. The victory marked Melvin’s first senior international gold medal in the men’s single sculls after previously winning the U23 lightweight single sculls world title in 2019.

Olympians and 2025 World Champions in the women’s four Kate Knifton and Teal Cohen won gold in the women’s pair after charging through the field from sixth place. The two American crews sat fifth and sixth after the opening 500 meters before steadily working through the field. Cohen and Knifton moved into third before the halfway point and passed the Czech crew in the third 500 meters. Their final sprint proved decisive as they overtook Chile to win gold in 6:50.82. Olympians Regina Salmons and Molly Bruggeman finished fourth in 6:59.06 after passing Italy in the closing stages.

The women’s four delivered a dominant performance from start to finish. Etta Carpender, Olympian Azja Czajkowski, Mia Levy, and Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson took the lead early and continued to extend their advantage over New Zealand. The Americans crossed the finish line in 6:15.75, more than three seconds clear of the field.

In the women’s quadruple sculls, Olympian Emily Kallfelz, Olympian Sophia Vitas, Evan Park, and Isa Darvin left little doubt about the outcome. The U.S. crew established control of the race early and had open water on New Zealand by the halfway mark. They continued to extend their lead, crossing the finish line in 6:08.83, 8.44 seconds ahead of second place.

The U.S. women’s eight also controlled its race from the start. Olympian Nina Castagna, Kate Knifton, Teal Cohen, Azja Czajkowski, Mia Levy, Regina Salmons, Etta Carpender, Alexandria Vallancey-Martinson, and coxswain Molly Bruggeman opened a lead over China in the first half of the race and continued to build on it throughout the course. The Americans crossed the line in 6:05.13, finishing 13.55 seconds ahead of China. The race capped a busy morning for the squad, with six rowers earning their second gold medals of the day.

In the mixed double sculls, Cedar Cunningham and Sophia Vitas took control of the race early, moving into the lead within the opening 500 meters. The American duo continued to extend their advantage throughout the course, steadily increasing their margin over the field. Cunningham and Vitas crossed the finish line with open water in a winning time of 6:32.40.

Olympian Grace Joyce earned silver in the women’s single sculls after a close race with Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Joyce sat third through the opening half before moving into second during the third 500 meters. Uzbekistan mounted a late challenge, but Joyce held on to secure silver in 7:22.21, earning her first international medal in the women’s single sculls.

In the men’s pair, Olympic bronze medalist Peter Chatain and Gus Rodriguez secured silver after a strong middle 1,000 meters. Sitting third through the opening quarter of the race, they moved past Italy in the third 500 meters and continued to increase their margin over the Italian crew. Chatain and Rodriguez crossed the finish line in 6:11.77 to earn silver behind New Zealand. Sam Sullivan and Nathan Phelps finished fifth in 6:22.10.

Olympians Lauren O’Connor and Kristi Wagner battled in a tightly contested women’s double sculls final. The Americans sat third in the early part of the race behind Italy and China before Austria moved ahead. O’Connor and Wagner responded with a powerful sprint, edging China by just .01 seconds for silver. Italy won in 6:45.35, with the United States finishing second in 6:47.72.

In the men’s eight, the United States stayed close to Italy through the opening half of the race. The crew of Rachel Rane, Josh Diggons, Olympic bronze medalist Chris Carlson, Peter Chatain, Gus Rodriguez, Sam Sullivan, Nathan Phelps, Jacob Hudgins, and Mike Herman remained in contention before Italy pulled away in the second half. The Americans crossed the finish line in 5:27.87 to earn silver.

Cedar Cunningham and James Wright finished fifth in the men’s double sculls. The Americans sat third early but were overtaken by New Zealand in the third 500 meters. They battled Italy to the line, with Italy finishing just .38 seconds ahead. Cunningham and Wright crossed the finish line in 6:11.61.

In the men’s four B Final, Josh Diggons, Chris Carlson, Jacob Hudgins, and Mike Herman held second place throughout the race to finish behind Canada. The United States recorded a time of 5:55.19.

The international racing season continues for the United States at World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 26-28.