The United States achieved a significant milestone by winning the gold medal in the women’s four at the 2025 World Rowing Championships held in Shanghai. This victory marks the U.S. team’s first gold in this category since 2018.

Race Overview

The crew consisting of Camille Vandermeer, Azja Czajkowski, Teal Cohen, and Kaitlin Knifton displayed exceptional skill, taking command of the race during the second 500 meters. They established a lead that proved crucial as they approached the final stretch.

As the U.S. team pushed towards the finish line, they successfully fended off fierce competition from Romania. Ultimately, the U.S. finished the 2,000-meter race with a time of 6:27.71.

Podium Finishers

Romania’s team, featuring Ancuta Bodnar, Geanina Dumitrita Juncanariu, Adriana Adam, and Amalia Beres, claimed the silver medal. They made their mark by executing the fastest 500-meter split of the race, crossing the finish in 6:28.44, just shy of a second behind the U.S. team.

New Zealand’s crew, comprising Juliette Lequeux, Rebecca Leigh, Isla Blake, and Alana Sherman, secured the bronze medal with a time of 6:31.11 after successfully overtaking the Netherlands in the final meters. The Netherlands and Great Britain rounded out the top five, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Unbeaten Streak

This victory adds to the unbeaten record of Vandermeer and Czajkowski in the current racing season. Prior to the championships, they had already secured gold medals at two prestigious events: the World Rowing Cup I in Varese, Italy, and the World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne, Switzerland, alongside their teammates Cohen and Knifton, and Vallancey-Martinson and Carpender.

Upcoming Events

Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 12 to July 30 in 2028, with a daily competition schedule already released.