South African rowing crew makes waves in Lucerne World Cup

In a thrilling display of athleticism and teamwork, South Africa’s rowing competitors made their mark at the prestigious Rowing World Cup in Lucerne this past weekend. The men’s pair, comprised of Damian Bonhage-Koen and Christopher Baxter, showcased their incredible prowess by reaching the A Final in the men’s pair event, while Olympian Paige Badenhorst competed valiantly in the women’s single sculls.

Bonhage-Koen and Baxter secured a commendable fourth place in the A Final with a time of 6:29.71, battling against some of the world’s best. The gold medal was claimed by Romania, followed by world powerhouses New Zealand and Switzerland. The South African pair had previously showed promise in the competition, finishing strongly in both their heats and the semi-final where they placed second behind New Zealand.

The duo’s impressive performance is particularly noteworthy given their absence from the competitive scene together for the past three years. Having previously earned the title of under-23 world champions in 2022, Bonhage-Koen and Baxter’s journey has demonstrated resilience and an unwavering commitment to their sport.

Meanwhile, in the women’s event, Paige Badenhorst faced tough competition in the single sculls. The Olympian initially finished second in her heat but was unable to maintain that momentum in the semi-finals, crossing the line in fifth place. This result sent her to the B Final, where she narrowly missed out on a podium finish, finishing just behind Brazil’s Beatriz Tavarez.

As South Africa continues to develop its rowing talents on the international stage, the efforts displayed in Lucerne promise a hopeful future for these athletes. With the journey towards excellence often paved with both triumphs and challenges, the experiences gained at this competitive level will undeniably contribute to their growth as elite rowers.