2018 World University Championships – Shanghai, China

Hosted by the Shanghai Water Sports Centre, venue for the proposed 2021 World Rowing Championships, China brought the biggest team with 52 rowers. The biggest teams from Europe was Great Britain (40 athletes) and Italy (32 athletes). Both China and Italy entered crews in all boat classes. Italy has doubled up some athletes into more than one boat class, hence the smaller crew numbers.

On the first day of racing rowing conditions were perfect with flat water and no wind at all. The very high humidity, however, of 57 per cent and the temperatures of 33°C made it a bit of a challenge to row. Luckily a light breeze came up towards the end of the morning session and made the conditions slightly more pleasant.

Australia has won two silver medals at the 2018 World University Rowing Championships in Shanghai which ran from 10 to 12 August.

Cara Grzeskowiak (ACT) claimed silver in the Women’s Single Scull, while Rosie Beasley (NSW) and Jilly Roberts (ACT) took silver in Lightweight Women’s Double Scull. All crews, bar one, made the A-Finals.

Women's Lightweight Double Scull Start - Australia on far side

Photo from FISA website

Tom Hunt and Callum Nott (both VIC) racing in the Men’s Pair finished fourth overall, while Wilson Mure (TAS) and Hugo Langsford (SA) finished fifth in their A-Final. Jayden Grey (VIC), in the Lightweight Men’s Single Scull, crossed the line in fourth.

In the Women’s Pair, Hedda Cooper (QLD) and Olivia Sibillin (VIC) finished fourth overall while Jackson Free (QLD) finished second in the B-Final of the Men’s Single Scull.