Racing for the 2023 World Championships begins on Sunday, September 3, in Belgrade, Serbia. Below, we preview the women's double sculls event.
ENTRIES - 20
2020 Olympic Champion – Romania
2022 World Champion – Romania
RACICE 2022 RECAP
The Olympic champion Romanian double of Bodnar and Radis continued their dominance in this event, getting out to a quick start and leading the field by a length at 500 meters. At halfway, Romania continued to lead by a length over the Netherlands, who held a length lead over three crews fighting for third. Romania powered away at the line to win over the Dutch, with Ireland sprinting to the bronze over Austria and USA taking fifth.
Watch the final from Racice here.
2023 SEASON RECAP
Bodnar and Radis returned to the Romanian double in 2023 and won both the European Championship and World Cup III. Finishing second to them at both events was the Lithuanian double of Karaliene and Rimkute. The Chinese double of Lu and Shen won a close race over the USA double of Wagner and Vitas at World Cup II. China also raced at World Cup III, taking the bronze.
The Lobnig sisters return to the double in 2023, where they won the silver at World Cup I behind Switzerland, though stroke seat Magdalena is doubling up in the W1x and will see at minimum, seven races over the course of the regatta. Also doubling in this event is Federica Cesarini of Italy, also racing in the LW2x of which she is the reigning Olympic Champion.
USA PROSPECTS
Kristi Wagner and Sophia Vitas return to the double following their fifth place finish in the event last year and Racice. The duo raced once on the international circuit this year, taking the silver medal at World Cup II in Varese. They should be in the mix to make the A Final in Belgrade with an outside shot at the podium. A top 11 finish in the event will qualify the USA for the Paris Olympic Regatta.
MEDAL PICKS
Romania are the favorites for gold with multiple crews in the mix for the remaining two spots on the podium. Lithuania, China, USA, Australia, France, Netherlands, and New Zealand are the most likely crews to challenge for an A Final spot.
GOLD – ROMANIA
SILVER – LITHUANIA
BRONZE - CHINA
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