Former local rowing star Paige Barr has been named in the Australian squad for the 2026 World Championships, set to take place on the Bosbaan international course in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from August 24 to 30.
Barr will feature in the women’s eight, forming part of a 13-boat contingent launched by Rowing Australia that comprises 61 elite athletes.
National selection followed recent trials across Australia and Italy, as well as performance results from World Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, where both the Senior Australian Rowing Team and ‘Australia A’ squads competed.
Following the Lucerne regatta, the Australian men’s squad trained and completed final trials on Lake Varese from the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy.
By contrast, the women’s team returned home to complete training and selection trials at the National Training Centre on the Nepean River in Penrith.
Rowing Australia performance director Paul Thompson MBE expressed confidence that the team’s performances in Amsterdam would highlight the sport’s progress toward the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic campaigns.
“The team speed and depth has been building and crews are looking forward to doing themselves proud in Amsterdam,” Thompson said.
Thompson added that the composition of the national team, known as the Rowsellas, offers a promising mix of experience and rising talent.
“We have an emerging, talented team with LA in their sights,” he said.
“There is a mix of youthful, dynamic rowers and returning Olympians and they have merged well for success over the World Cup season.”
The core of the Rowsellas squad heading to Amsterdam remains centred on the Senior team that impressed at World Cup III in Lucerne.
