WA Women’s Four Claim Bronze at World Under 19 Championships

West Australia’s next generation of rowing talent has delivered on the world stage, with an all-WA Women’s Four crew claiming bronze at the 2026 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Representing Australia, Oceane Jeannerat, Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi, Stella Wandel and Olivia Hansen-Knarhoi produced an outstanding performance in the A Final, securing third place in a time of 6:46.69 behind powerhouse rowing nations Romania (1st in 6:36.78) and Great Britain (2nd in 6:39.53). Romania led from the 500 with Great Brittain a clear 2nd all the way through. By the 1000m mark, the top three crews had clear water of the trailing three and the WA crew was firmly in medal contention, maintaining their pace alongside the leading crews. Having faced a high-quality international field, the crew showed their satisfaction and pride at the finish with their beaming smiles. 

photo credit: Brad Redfern

Coached by Tom Gatti, the crew demonstrated composure, determination and maturity beyond their years throughout the regatta, continuing to build speed and confidence from selection through to the championship final. Their bronze medal performance capped off months of dedication, hard work and commitment, while showcasing the strength of Western Australia’s athlete development pathway.

Rowing Australia Head of Pathways Jason Lane praised the crew’s growth throughout the campaign.

“This crew made significant gains throughout the campaign and their performance in the final reflected the quality of work they put in after selection,” Lane said.

“Tom and the athletes remained committed to continuous improvement, and to race so competitively against two outstanding crews from Romania and Great Britain was a strong indication of their potential and future opportunities at the international level.”

For the four athletes, the result represents not only an impressive international achievement but also a significant milestone on their rowing journey, gaining invaluable experience competing against the world’s best Under 19 crews.

Rowing WA CEO Daniel Tackenberg congratulated the athletes, coach and everyone involved in supporting their success.

“We are incredibly proud of Oceane, Charlotte, Stella and Olivia for the way they represented both Australia and Western Australia on the world stage,” Tackenberg said.

“To win a World Championship bronze medal is an exceptional achievement and reflects the talent, commitment and resilience of these athletes, along with the support of their families, coaches and clubs.

“Their success is a fantastic example of the strength of rowing in Western Australia and will inspire many young athletes to pursue their own pathways within our sport.”

As the crew returns home with bronze medals around their necks, they do so having demonstrated that Western Australian rowers can compete with the very best in the world, while providing a glimpse of an exciting future for both the athletes and Australian rowing as a whole.

Congratulations to Oceane Jeannerat, Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi, Stella Wandel, Olivia Hansen-Knarhoi and coach Tom Gatti on an outstanding achievement and a bronze medal performance to remember. 🥉🚣‍♀️💚💛

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