New Zealand's 2026 World Rowing Championships squad features reigning world champions, Olympic medallists, and a clutch of athletes making their elite World Championships debut, with the team of 28 travelling to Amsterdam for the regatta running 24 to 30 August.
The squad departs on 9 August carrying solid momentum from a productive World Cup season, and reflects the depth the programme has built as it tracks toward Los Angeles 2028.
Headlining the squad are Men's Pair world champions Oli Welch and Ben Taylor, who have been in commanding form through the international season. The Avon Rowing Club duo claimed gold at both World Cup I and World Cup II, and at the second regatta in Bulgaria came within 0.54 seconds of the World Best Time set by Hamish Bond and Eric Murray at the London 2012 Olympics. Both athletes have stayed focused on continued improvement in training as they prepare to defend their title.
The Women's Four of Alana Sherman, Isla Blake, Kate Haines and Ella Cossill go in unchanged after collecting bronze at World Cup I in Seville and silver at World Cup II in Bulgaria, finishing behind the United States crew that was crowned world champion in Shanghai last year. "I am excited to race at world champs and have another opportunity to race the best," said Sherman.
One of the more significant developments is the return of New Zealand eights for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics, where the Women's Eight won silver and the Men's Eight took gold. The Women's Eight draws its athletes from the Four and Quad, with Harry Molloy coxing after guiding the Mixed Eight to bronze at last year's World Championships in Shanghai.
The Men's Eight is a powerful combination featuring Tokyo gold medallist Matt Macdonald, Paris silver medallist Oliver Maclean, world champions Welch and Taylor, and several athletes who contributed to the Men's Four bronze at World Cup II. Macdonald, returning after a year away from competition, said he was looking forward to building new combinations. "There are a lot of unknowns with the new combinations at this stage, so over the next block we'll keep it simple and just make the most of every opportunity we get. Steady improvement over the next couple months will be key."
The Men's Four pairs Macdonald and Maclean with Harry Fitzpatrick and Fred Vavasour, who raced together throughout the World Cup series and claimed bronze at World Cup II. Amsterdam will mark the first Elite World Championships appearance for both Fitzpatrick and Vavasour.
The Women's Quad of Olivia Hay, Stella Clayton-Greene, Rebecca Leigh and Veronica Wall arrives in good shape after taking silver at World Cup II, with Wall and Clayton-Greene having raced the event at last year's World Championships, where they finished fifth.
The Men's Double of Ben Mason and Finn Hamill improved significantly between the two World Cup regattas, claiming silver at World Cup II. The pair raced together at last year's championships in Shanghai, where they finished eighth overall, and will be pushing to improve on that result in Amsterdam.
For Sophie Egnot-Johnson and Eva Hofmans in the Women's Double, Amsterdam will mark their first Elite World Championships. The pair reached the A Final at World Cup II in Bulgaria and will be looking to build on that international experience through the campaign.
The Women's Pair of Katie Lush and Juliette Lequeux progressed from a B Final at World Cup I to an A Final at World Cup II, where they finished fifth. Lequeux brings world championship experience from the Women's Four that won bronze in Shanghai, while for Lush it will be a first appearance at the elite level.
Beckie Leigh, reflecting on what has been a testing season, captured the mood simply. "Pretty stoked to have made the world champs team. It has been a bit of a roller coaster of a season for me so to be named in the team has been a big highlight, plus with such a good group of people in the team it should be a fun day tour."
The full squad, including travelling reserve Kathryn Glen of Avon Rowing Club, is listed below.
