LONDON, Ont. – UBC Thunderbirds delivered a series of outstanding performances for Canada at the 2026 FISU World University Rowing Championships on Lake Fanshawe in London, Ontario, highlighted by multiple fourth-place finishes in an extremely competitive field.
The championships brought together many of the world's leading rowing nations, with Canada fielding eight crews comprised of top student-athletes from Canadian universities and Canadians competing at U.S. varsity programs. UBC athletes featured prominently across the Canadian team, racing in five of Canada's eight entries.
The Canadian Men's Eight, featuring six UBC athletes, came agonizingly close to the podium in one of the most exciting finals of the championships, finishing fourth and just 0.2 seconds back of third place.
Elsewhere,
Willow Cherewaty stroked the Canadian Women's Eight to a strong fourth-place finish, crossing the line behind the Netherlands, Great Britain and Italy. Thunderbird
Gabrielle Yarema produced another standout Canadian performance in the Women's Single, also placing fourth in a deep 14-boat international field.
In the Men's Single,
Oliver Page-Kuhr finished ninth overall, while Thunderbirds
Claire Hallett and
Natasha Witts helped the Canadian Women's Four to a 10th-place finish.
The results capped an impressive international championship for the Thunderbirds, with UBC athletes competing for Canada across sweep and sculling events and demonstrating the strength of the program on the world university stage.
UBC Thunderbirds representing Canada
Women's Eight (W8+) — 4th
Willow Cherewaty — Stroke
Men's Eight (M8+) — 4th
Adrian Breen
Benjamin Buchheit
Ben Maijer
Maijken Meindertsma
Robert Walsh
Oscar Wostenholme
Women's Single (W1x) — 4th
Gabrielle Yarema
Men's Single (M1x) — 9th
Oliver Page-Kuhr
Women's Four (W4-) — 10th
Claire Hallett
Natasha Witts
Coach
Mike Pearce
