In the rich tapestry of rowing history, few events hold the gravity of the upcoming "Ultimate Rowing Race 2024" in Berlin. This year’s race, featuring Oliver Zeidler and Simon van Dorp, isn’t just a clash of current titans—it’s a nod to the legacy of the World Sculling Championships, dating back to 1831. The anticipation is high as these two athletes, both ranked at the top of the 2024 standings, prepare to face off in a rematch that will not only honor history but also write a new chapter in the sport’s evolution.
How the 2024 Ranking was Decided
The rankings for 2024 were based on a precise point system, taking into account performances at both the World Cup and the Olympic Games in Paris. Each World Cup victory awarded 10 points, with points decreasing for lower placements. Olympic results, carrying double the weight, granted 20 points for gold, 16 for silver, 14 for bronze, and so on.
This system created a competitive yet clear hierarchy, with each athlete’s position reflecting their consistency across major events.
The Top Contenders
1. Oliver Zeidler (38 points)
The reigning Olympic champion, Zeidler's victory in Paris earned him 20 points, bolstering his standing despite not competing in the final World Cup in Poznan. With a gold at World Cup I in Varese and a silver at World Cup II in Lucerne, Zeidler leads the rankings heading into the Berlin race. His mix of dominance and tactical brilliance makes him the favorite in this highly anticipated showdown.
2. Simon van Dorp (32 points)
Van Dorp, a fierce competitor, secured bronze in Paris and a gold medal in Lucerne, putting him just behind Zeidler in the rankings. His consistency across events has kept him in close contention, and his hunger to topple Zeidler in Berlin adds fuel to what promises to be an electrifying rematch.
3. Tom Mackintosh (24 points)
The New Zealand sculler, who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, climbed the ranks with a gold medal in Poznan. Though he didn’t feature in the final World Cup, his early season performances have earned him a solid third-place ranking.
4. Yauheni Zalaty (23 points)
Zalaty’s silver in Paris and bronze in Lucerne highlight his prowess, though missing key events in Varese and Poznan leaves him just shy of Mackintosh in the standings. Still, Zalaty remains a sculler to watch for in the future.
Notable Performances Further Down the List
Tim Brys, Sverri Nielsen, and Damir Martin round out the top six, each putting in respectable performances throughout the season. Brys finished fourth at the Olympics but suffered from a DNF in Lucerne, while Nielsen and Martin struggled with inconsistency. Further down the list, Stefanos Ntouskos and Ryuta Arakawa faced challenges in the World Cup but secured valuable points at the Olympics.
The Road to Berlin: A Historic Duel
The stage is now set for Berlin on October 12, 2024, where Zeidler and Van Dorp will reignite their rivalry. The race is more than just another competition; it honors the legacy of sculling and the history of Berlin’s rowing scene. With both athletes in top form, and the history of the World Sculling Championships as a backdrop, this race will blend the past with the future of elite rowing.
The 2025 ranking, which will be published by the Advisory Board by October 31, 2024, promises to shake things up further. But for now, all eyes are on Berlin, where Zeidler and Van Dorp will race not just for rankings but for the honor of standing at the pinnacle of rowing greatness.
Official Ranking 2024
1. Oliver Zeidler 38 points
Paris Olympics 20 points
WC III DNS
WCII Lucerne 8 Points (Silver)
WC I Varese 10 points (Gold)
2. Simon van Dorp 32 points
Paris Olympics 14 points (Bronze)
WCIII DNS
WCII Lucerne 10 Points (Gold)
WC I Varese 8 points (Silver)
3. Tom Mackintosh 24 points
Paris Olympics 10 points (5th place)
WC III Poznan 10 points (Gold)
WC II Lucerne 4 points (6th place)
WC III DNS
4. Yauheni Zalaty 23 points
Paris Olympics 16 points
WCIII Poznan DNS
WCII Lucerne 7 Points (Bronze)
WCI Varese DNS
5. Tim Brys 17 points
Paris Olympics 12 points (4th place)
WCIII Poznan DNS
WC II Lucerne 0 points (DNF)
WC I Varese 5 points (5th place)
6. Sverri Nielsen 15 points
Paris Olympics 2 points (8th place)
WC III Poznan 7 points (Bronze)
WC II Lucerne 6 points (4th place)
WCI Varese DNS
7. Damir Martin 12 points
Paris Olympics 0 points (11th place)
WC III Poznan 8 points (Silver)
WCII Lucerne DNS
WC I Varese 4 points (6th place)
8. Stefanos Ntouskos 8 points
Paris Olympics 8 points (6th place)
WC III Poznan DNS
WCII Lucerne DNF
WC I Varese DNS
9. Ryuta Arakawa 8 points
Paris Olympics 2 points (9th place)
WC III Poznan 4 points (6th place)
WCII Lucerne DNS
WC I Varese DNS
10. Mihai Chiruta 6 points
Paris Olympics 6 points (7th place)
WC III Poznan DNS
WCII Lucerne DNS
WC I Varese DNS
The 2025 ranking will be published here by the Advisory Board by 31.10.2024.
Let the ultimate race begin!