2026 World University Rowing Championships: Italy triumphs, with eight Insubria students on the podium

Eight student-athletes from the University of Insubria contributed to Italy’s triumph at the 2026 World University Rowing Championships, held in London, Canada, from August 13 to 15. The Italian team won a total of 11 medals – 4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze – finishing first in the world medal table.

Representing Insubria in the Italian delegation were Melissa Schincariol, Giulio Zuccalà, Ilaria Colombo, Sebastiano Renzi, Sara Borghi, Lorenzo Cracco, Alessandro Timpanaro and Aurora Spirito, accompanied by national team coach Giovanni Calabrese.

The Insubria student-athletes achieved outstanding results, taking part in several podium finishes.

Sara Borghi was crowned World University Champion in the Women’s Single Sculls, winning the gold medal in a time of 7:49.46.

Lorenzo Cracco also won gold and the title of World University Champion in the Men’s Pair, together with Leonardo Sostegni, finishing in 6:48.33.

Alessandro Timpanaro won the World University title in the Men’s Four, alongside Giuseppe Bellomo, Simone Pappalepore and Francesco Pallozzi, with a time of 6:04.98.

Melissa Schincariol also claimed two medals: silver in the Women’s Double Sculls, together with Elena Sali, and silver in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls, together with Paolo Falossi, Sebastiano Renzi and Elena Sali.

Sebastiano Renzi also won bronze in the Men’s Double Sculls, together with Edoardo Rocchi.

Giulio Zuccalà and Ilaria Colombo were also on the podium as members of the Men’s Eight, which won the gold medal, while Aurora Spirito contributed to the bronze medal won by the Women’s Eight.

The eight Insubria student-athletes were therefore part of an Italian delegation that confirmed Italy’s first place in the world medal table at the World University Rowing Championships, repeating the success achieved in Rotterdam in 2024.

This outstanding result also highlights the University of Insubria’s commitment to supporting university sport and the development of student-athletes capable of competing at the highest international level.