June 17, 2025

USRowing Youth National 2025

A Historic Year for King Racing & WinTech

The 2025 Youth Nationals marked a groundbreaking chapter for King Racing and WinTech, reaffirming their dominance across the championship landscape. This regatta was not only a showcase of speed and power but also a defining moment in rowing history—driven by unmatched equipment and record-breaking crews.

🏆 King Racing – Champions’ Choice Once Again

King Racing shells once again proved to be the fastest boats on the water, particularly in the blue-ribbon eights events. The King 8+ remains the go-to shell for champions, sweeping the Women’s 8+ podium for the second year in a row—with no Hudson or Filippi boats in sight among the medalists. The continued absence of competitors in the 8+ medals further underscores King’s dominance in the high-performance sweep racing category.

RowAmerica Rye – A Dynasty in the Making

Men's & Women's Champions - RowAmerica Rye | Photography: AllMarkOne

Rye cemented its legacy at this year’s regatta with a 3-peat in the Men’s Youth 8+ and a back-to-back win in the Women’s Youth 8+, using King shells to devastating effect. Their Women’s 8+ also set a new U.S. Junior 8+ record in the semifinals, highlighting both the crew’s elite talent and the shell’s raw speed.

Men's Varsity 8+ : RowAmerica Rye Boat: King SE 8+| Photography: AllMarkOne

Women's Varsity 8+ : RowAmerica Rye Boat: King SE 8+| Photography: AllMarkOne

Medal Recap for King & WinTech

Across the board, crews racing in King and WinTech boats collected a total of 20 medals: (7) Gold, (5) Silver and (8) Bronze

Newport Aquatic Center dominated the Men’s Youth 2-, winning by open water in a Cobra FLX 2-, showing clean lines and unmatched speed in one of the most technically demanding events.

Club: Newport Aquatic Center Boat: WinTech Cobra FLX| Photography: AllMarkOne

Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Women’s 2V8+ claimed gold in a thrilling race, edging RowAmerica Rye A by half a length. It was a 1–2 punch for King Racing shells, with RowAmerica B narrowly missing the medals in 4th behind NAC, underscoring the event’s depth.

Club: Saugatuck RC Boat: King SE 8+| Photography: AllMarkOne

Maritime Rowing Club’s Women’s U16 4x+ made a huge statement in a WinTech Competitor shell, finishing 9 seconds clear of the field. This dominating performance showcased the value and speed of WinTech’s entry-level boats—a fair price with an unfair advantage—a winning formula for programs maximizing results on a budget. Marina Aquatic Center claimed bronze in a strong performance.

Club: Maritime RC Boat: WinTech Competitor 4x+| Photography: AllMarkOne

Saint Andrew (SA) fended off a hard-charging NorCal crew in the Men’s U16 4x+, winning gold in a Cobra 4x+. A tightly contested final where equipment and grit both made the difference.

Club: Saint Andrew Boat: WinTech Cobra 4x+ Photography: AllMarkOne

Saugatuck RC added another trophy with a victory in the Men’s U17 4+, holding off Noble & Greenough School by 2 seconds. Oakland Strokes took bronze just 6 seconds behind, rounding out a fast and furious podium.

Club: Saugatuck RC Boat: WinTech International 4+ | Photography: AllMarkOne

TriStar Rowing delivered an emotional silver in the Women’s U17 4+, finishing just 2 seconds behind the winner for the second consecutive year. Marina Aquatic Center secured bronze in another closely contested field. Saugatuck RC, the previous multi-year champions, finished 4th this time around.

In the Women's 8+ Newport Aquatic Center claimed silver, with Winter Park taking bronze, and Saugatuck RC finishing 4th—all racing in King shells. It was another complete sweep of the A Final podium (and beyond) for King Racing, further proving the King 8+ is the shell of champions.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Youth Nationals will be remembered as a historic breakthrough for the next generation of athletes and for the elite equipment that carried them to victory. With King Racing sweeping the premier 8+ events and WinTech continuing to deliver for developing and high-performance crews alike, the message is clear: when it matters most, champions race King and WinTech.