The RMB National Rowing Squad from South Africa has commenced its 2026 international season with positive outcomes during the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne and the Henley Royal Regatta, all in preparation for the World Rowing Championships scheduled in Amsterdam.
During the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, which took place from June 26 to 28, several athletes from the squad participated. Courtney Westley and Katherine Williams secured an eighth-place finish in the women's pair event. Paige Badenhorst achieved ninth place in the women's single sculls, while Chris Baxter finished fifteenth in the men's single sculls.
Subsequently, the team traveled to England to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta. At this event, both South African single scullers advanced into the semi-finals. Badenhorst reached the semi-final of the Princess Royal Challenge Cup but narrowly lost to Magdalena Lobnig from Austria. Lobnig subsequently advanced to the final before being defeated by Lauren Henry representing Great Britain.
Chris Baxter also managed to reach the semi-finals of the Diamond Challenge Sculls, where he faced defeat from Diogo Gonçalves of Portugal. Gonçalves proceeded to the final against Olli Zeidler, a four-time champion from Germany. Meanwhile, Westley and Williams reached the quarter-finals of the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup, ultimately losing to Laura Meriano and Alice Codato from Italy, who won the competition.
These competitive showings represented the squad's initial international assignments under the guidance of new national coach Andrew Grant and signaled promising developments leading up to the World Rowing Championships. Michael Edwards of RMB expressed great pride in the athletes' performance during their first international appearances of the season. He noted that Lucerne and Henley represent some of the most demanding tests in global rowing, and seeing the athletes compete closely with the world's elite validates their dedication and the strategic direction set by Andrew.
Edwards further affirmed RMB's complete commitment to supporting these athletes, stating that the organization would support them throughout every effort. The squad is now concentrating on finalizing preparations for the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam in September.
