Swiss women’s quadruple sculls win historic European gold on National Day
On Swiss National Day, the women’s quadruple sculls crew of Nina Wettstein, Célia Dupré, Flavia Lötscher and Lisa Lötscher surged in the final 500 metres to beat Germany by 0.68 seconds and win the European title in Varese, Italy.
Historic breakthrough
On 1 August 2026, Switzerland’s women’s quadruple sculls won gold at the European Rowing Championships in Varese. It was the first time any Swiss big boat (a four or an eight) had taken a medal at a European Championships, World Championships or Olympic Games, and it arrived on the country’s national holiday. Nina Wettstein, Célia Dupré, Flavia Lötscher and Lisa Lötscher ended that long wait in a single race, rewriting Swiss rowing history.
How the race unfolded
The final was a three‑way battle from the first strokes. The Swiss crew, fastest in the heats, sat third at each of the three intermediate checkpoints (500 m, 1 000 m and 1 500 m), always within one stroke of Germany and Romania. At 500 m to go the three boats were separated by just 0.18 seconds. The Swiss quartet then produced the strongest finish, moving past both rivals in the last quarter of the race. At the line 0.68 seconds covered Switzerland and Germany, while Romania took bronze 2.23 seconds behind the winners.
- Swiss crew third, behind Germany and Romania; three boats within 0.18 s.
- Still third; margin among the three leaders remains under 0.5 s.
- Crew holds third; 500 m to go, all three boats virtually level.
- Switzerland passes both rivals, wins by 0.68 s over Germany, Romania bronze +2.23 s.
Four‑year project pays off
Swiss Rowing has nurtured a competitive women’s quadruple sculls programme for several seasons. At the 2024 Olympic Games the crew fell 0.44 seconds short of a medal, finishing fourth behind Great Britain. In Varese the women turned that margin around, beating the same British Olympic champions by more than five seconds. The quartet was put together barely a month before the championships, racing together for the first time at the World Cup on the Rotsee, where they placed fifth.
- Gold margin over Germany (Varese 2026)
- 0.68 seconds
- Gap to bronze (Paris 2024 Olympics)
- 0.44 seconds
Dupré adds a second international medal
For Célia Dupré, the gold marked a personal landmark. The 25‑year‑old from Geneva had already won a bronze medal in the mixed double sculls at the 2025 World Championships in Shanghai alongside Raphaël Ahumada. Now she becomes the first Swiss woman with medals at two different major international senior championships. The gold in Varese is also her first title.
What it means for Swiss rowing
The triumph lifts Swiss Rowing’s profile at a moment when the sport is gaining momentum at home. The men’s coxless pair of Patrick Brunner and Jonah Plock finished fifth in their final on the same day, showing depth across the squad. For the women’s quadruple sculls, the European title is the crowning achievement of a generation that had repeatedly knocked on the door without breaking through.
