The French rowing delegation has kicked off its campaign at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with three initial crews successfully navigating their opening races on Monday, August 24, according to official federation reports.
A Strong Start on the Bosbaan Course
Racing on the historic Bosbaan regatta course—which previously hosted the global showcase in 2014—the opening French entries safely advanced through their initial rounds to set a positive tone for the week. According to reports from the Fédération Française d’Aviron, more than 850 athletes representing 64 nations have gathered in the Dutch capital to compete across 23 distinct categories in both rowing and para-rowing disciplines.
The national team arrived in the Netherlands following intensive final training camps, with able-bodied athletes completing preparations in Varese, Italy, while the para-rowing squad trained at Temple-sur-Lot. These sessions aimed to fine-tune crew synchronization and sharpen tactical execution ahead of the week-long regatta, which runs through August 30.
Building a Young Squad Toward Los Angeles 2028
France has traveled to Amsterdam with a renewed, developmental squad spanning seven Olympic events, two non-Olympic events, and three Paralympic categories. Team management noted that while the group is young and still building its international experience, it enters the competition carrying positive momentum following encouraging medal performances at World Cup stages and the European Championships.
According to governing body disclosures, the primary objective on the Bosbaan is gathering high-level racing data and international exposure rather than chasing an immediate medal count. These championships serve as an essential rehearsal for the 2027 World Championships on the Rotsee in Lucerne, Switzerland, where official qualification slots for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will be decided.
Roster Adjustments and Historic Mixed Entries
The French camp arrived facing a late roster change following a medical withdrawal. Hugo Boucheron was ruled out of the world championships after medical staff recommended he halt his training load to preserve his long-term health and focus on the upcoming qualification cycle. In response, Valentin Onfroy shifted boats to partner with Yoann Lamiral in the men’s double sculls (deux de couple homme).
Despite the adjustment, the selection features notable historic entries. For the first time at an elite World Rowing Championships, France has entered both a mixed double sculls (deux de couple mixte) crew—featuring Emma Lunatti and Yoann Lamiral—and a mixed sweep eight (huit de pointe mixte) combining athletes from multiple boat classes under the guidance of coxswain Malo Jacq-Bodet.
Full French Delegation for Amsterdam
The complete roster confirmed by the French federation highlights the breadth of the traveling team across weight classes and boat categories:
- Women’s Skiff (W1x): Louise Lefebvre (Nice CN)
- Women’s Pair (W2-): Emma Cornelis (Nancy SN), Hezekia Peron (Libourne CN)
- Women’s Double Sculls (W2x): Emma Lunatti (Grenoble AV), Mya Bosquet (Le Havre SHA)
- Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x): Comprising Claire Bové (AS Mantes), Milla Massemin (Nancy SN), Margaux Bailleul (Le Havre SHA), and Violaine Aernoudts (Armentière CLL)
- Men’s Skiff (M1x): Victor Marcelot (Boulogne 92)
- Men’s Double Sculls (M2x): Yoann Lamiral (Aix-les-Bains ENA), Valentin Onfroy (Verdun CN)
- Men’s Four (M4-): Alistair Gicqueau (Tours ATM), Florian Ludwig (Chambéry CNCB), Armand Pfister (Chambéry CNCB), Téo Rayet (Mâcon SR)
- Mixed Double Sculls (Mix2x): Emma Lunatti (Grenoble AV), Yoann Lamiral (Aix-les-Bains ENA)
- Mixed Eight (Mix8+): Alistair Gicqueau, Florian Ludwig, Armand Pfister, Téo Rayet, Violaine Aernoudts, Emma Cornelis, Hezekia Peron, Mya Bosquet, coxswain Malo Jacq-Bodet (Nantes CA)
- Substitutes: Louis Descot-Vigouroux (Toulouse AV), Odysseas Tubidis (Boulogne 92), Léa Herscovici (Le Perreux SN)
- Para-Rowing PR1 Men’s Single Sculls (PR1 M1x): Alexis Sanchez (Marseille AAS)
- Para-Rowing PR2 Mixed Double Sculls (PR2 Mix2x): Perle Bouge (Bayonne AV), Morgan Godin (Saint Omer AA)
- Para-Rowing PR3 Mixed Coxed Four (PR3 Mix4+): Led by coxswain Maïwenn Dumont (Encouragement SESN) alongside Hélène Balzac (Lorient AS), Grégoire Bireau (Libourne CN), Eva David (Nantes CA), and Laurent Cadot (Boulogne 92)
Next Steps on the Bosbaan
Competition continues through the week with repechages, quarterfinals, and semifinals leading up to the A-finals scheduled for the weekend. The French crews will return to the water for their next rounds of progression as racing intensity ramps up across the international field.
