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Jul 16, 2025

Team USA

U.S. and International Crews Shine at Inaugural International Rowing Challenge


The inaugural International Rowing Challenge took place this week in Ypsilanti, Michigan, bringing together top Under 19 athletes from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand. The regatta featured a full slate of sweep and sculling events contested over a 1500-meter course. Designed to develop small boat proficiency and expand international racing opportunities, the event opened with time trials on Tuesday to determine seeding for Wednesday’s finals.

The U.S. fielded multiple entries in each event, with crews creatively distinguished by animal-themed names such as the Flaming Crabs, Flaming Bears, and Flaming OARcas. New Zealand made the trip worth it, taking the overall points trophy with 116 points. The U.S. Flaming OARcas took second with 110 points, followed by Mexico with 94 points, and Canada in fourth with 92. 

In the women’s quadruple sculls, Row Canada claimed gold with a winning time of 5:15.58. The U.S. crews delivered a tight finish, with the Flaming Bears, stroked by Isabella Essig, earning silver. All three crews finished within 1.34 seconds of each other. Canada also prevailed in the men’s quadruple sculls, followed by Mexico in second and New Zealand in third.

The men’s coxed four saw one of the regatta’s most competitive races. Two U.S. crews, the Flaming Crabs and Flaming OARcas, edged out New Zealand to take first and second, separated by just 1.61 seconds from the Kiwis in third.

In the women’s coxed four, New Zealand took the top spot. The U.S. Flaming Crabs and Flaming OARcas rounded out the podium in second and third.

New Zealand continued its strong performance in the women’s pair, winning by open water in a time of 5:54.42. The U.S. Flaming OARcas pair of Aidyn Eglington and Isabella Warner finished second in a time of 5:58.45, with Mexico placing third.

The men’s pair featured a close duel between New Zealand and the U.S. duo of Will Kulikowski and Ethan Pirigyi, who crossed just 1.45 seconds behind the leaders. The Flaming OARcas placed third in 5:18.88.

In women’s single sculls, New Zealand’s Georgia Kendrick narrowly held off U.S. sculler Sydney Vilhelm, winning by just 0.27 seconds. Caroline Forbes from the U.S. secured third in 6:18.56.

Harrison Thode of New Zealand took gold in the men’s single sculls, finishing in 5:33.95. Brogan Fernald (U.S.) placed second, followed by Mexico’s Nicolas Luna Rico in third.

Mexico topped the women’s double sculls, winning by 4.63 seconds over the U.S. duo of Eileen Nash and Suzy Reardon. Caroline Forbes and Linnea Barrachin (U.S.) took third in 6:13.87.

The men’s double sculls was won by New Zealand, with Mexico and Canada rounding out the podium.

The regatta concluded with an exciting mixed eight final. The U.S. Flaming OARcas, stroked by Caroline Forbes, surged to victory, edging out Canada by 1.74 seconds. The Flaming Crabs claimed third in the tightly contested race.

The International Rowing Challenge is part of USRowing’s long-term performance strategy, with a strong emphasis on small boats, technical development, and global competition. The event aligns with the goals of USRowing’s Pathways Program, which aims to strengthen the U.S. national team pipeline at all levels.

USRowing thanks WinTech and King Racing for their partial sponsorship of the 2025 IRC.

View IRC photo galleries here.