Boat: WinTech Cobra SE Superlightweight 1x | Oars: WinTech RDS
Photography: AllMarkOne
Liv Bates is one of the hottest prospects in world rowing. After a series of impressive domestic results in 2021 and 2022 – alongside appearances at the U23 World and European championships – she made her senior debut this season, picking up two bronze medals at the second and third World Cups in Varese and Lucerne with support from WinTech & Oarsport (WinTech’s exclusive UK distributor).
Liv is poised to take on her first senior World Championships alongside the support of her coach, Dec Gamble. We sat down with her to discuss her meteoric rise, the excitement of racing in Serbia and how WinTech & Oarsport have enabled her to become one of the world’s leading lightweight scullers.
First, how has the 2023 season been going for you?
It’s going well. I am pleased to have been selected for my first senior international races for GB which was my aim at the start of this year.
How did it feel to be selected for the World Rowing Championships for the first time?
I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to see how fast I can go compared to the rest of the world. I love getting stuck into some close, fast racing and can’t think of a better place to do it!
You won bronze at the Second and Third World Cups in the LW1x. How does that set you up from a preparation perspective for the 2023 World Rowing Championships?
I feel that racing at World cup 2 and 3, as well as Europeans earlier in the year, has given me valuable senior international racing experience, which I was lacking before. I learnt a lot about international competition and the importance of being able to continually elevate your performance throughout the regatta. Hopefully this will enable me to perform well at Worlds.
Talk us through Varese and Lucerne. How did you prepare, what were your aims going into each race and how did you execute your plan?
I came to Caversham to train with the senior GB team just after April trials, so have prepared with them for both regattas. This was a big change for me, as I had been training on my own up in Nottingham all winter. It was nice to be surrounded by other athletes that are so motivated and I think this really helped me push on in my training and prepared me well for racing. My aim going into both regattas was just to go as fast as I could, and have a good personal performance, regardless of where that placed me in relation to the other countries. Although I struggled with the conditions when racing the final in to Varese, I felt I was able to execute my race well in Lucerne.
How did you first get into rowing?
I first started rowing as a J14 at Trent Rowing Club. They gave me a great experience and really showed me the fun side of the sport! When I got to J16, we started to win at a lot of the local regattas and I decided I wanted to take rowing a bit more seriously, so I made the decision to move to Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association and I have been there ever since! Both clubs alongside the additional support from Nottingham University Boat Club since I started my degree, have been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
Your rise over the past two years has been incredible. When did you first realise that you were moving quickly and in with a real chance of senior representation?
I think the first time I realised I was going quite well was at the U23 European Championships in 2021 where I came away with the silver in the lightweight single. This was my first international race, so I really wasn’t expecting to do that well. Since then, my results at trials have continued to improve and at the start of this season I knew senior representation was a real possibility, but my aim has always just been to go as fast as I can!
How have WinTech supported you on your journey so far?
I have been rowing in WinTechs since I first started rowing as a junior. In 2021 I was rowing in a lightweight Cobra SE and was the fastest U23 lightweight at GB trials and then went on to win at BUCS and Henley Women’s Regatta (setting a course record) in the same shell all with WinTech RDS sculls too. This gave me great confidence in the speed of the WinTech boats and drag reducing sculls. Before I raced U23 Euros, WinTech’s UK distributor, Oarsport, reached out and gave me the opportunity to try the super-lightweight boat for the Championships. This shell really worked well for me and enabled me to put on my best performance in this race. Since then, I have never looked back and both WinTech and Oarsport have provided me with incredible support during training and racing. I am so grateful for all they have done for me
What about the WinTech shells do you enjoy?
I think the most important thing about racing boats is that they enable you to achieve your fastest race. I firmly believe I can do this in my WinTech. I find they run very smoothly through the drive and recovery, and I can achieve great acceleration in the super-lightweight shell to get me up to speed quickly at the start of a race. I have raced and trained in WinTechs for most of my rowing career and have found them to be a great boat to push my performance on.
What has been your sporting highlight?
I think my highlight so far was getting a medal in Lucerne at World Cup 3. I used to watch the senior team race there on TV and always thought it must be such a beautiful place to race, so to get the opportunity to race there myself and come away with a medal was amazing!
From all at Oarsport & WinTech Racing we would like to wish Liv the best of luck in Belgrade as she competes in her first ever senior World Championships. We would also like to thank Liv for choosing to race in WinTech boats and are proud to have played a small role in her development from a junior athlete just starting out right the way through to becoming a World Championship athlete.
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
Last weekend top rowers from countries around the world traveled to the Bosbaan regatta course (the oldest artificial rowing lake in the world) in Amsterdam to compete in Holland’s most renowned International regatta – the Koninklijke- Holland Beker regatta.
On Saturday, Olivia Bates competing in her WinTech Racing Super Lightweight Cobra SE placed first in the BW 1x event almost 15 seconds ahead of 2nd place in a time of 07:45.23. On Sunday, Olivia again competed this time in the LW 1x event claiming another win in a time of 07:51.31.
These two wins follow on from an extremely successful start to the season for Olivia. She placed 2nd at the British Rowing April Trial in the lightweight Women’s category and then went onto to win gold in the Women’s Championship Lightweight 1x and Silver in the Women’s Championship 1x at the BUCS (British University Colleges & Sport) Regatta at the National Watersports Center in Nottingham where she competed for The University of Nottingham.
Just over a week ago and racing in Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association colours Olivia won the Championship Lightweight 1x event at Henley Women’s Regatta setting a new course record in the process in a time of 5:36.60. Incredibly this is the fastest time down the track for any single sculler at the event including openweight events.
Good luck for the rest of this season Liv!
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
Last weekend the European Rowing Under 19 Championships took place at the beautiful Lago di Varese Regatta Venue in Northern Italy. All European Member National Federations plus Israel were eligible to compete. A rower may compete in an Under 19 rowing event until 31st December of the year in which he or she reaches the age of 18.
Marcus Chute of Great Britain took gold in the Junior Men’s Single scull event in his WinTech Racing Cobra 1x beating Boris Taeldeman of Belgium and Pierre Molins of France. This follows a similar performance at the recent Munich International Regatta and he will compete on home soil this coming weekend at the UK National Schools Regatta in the Championship 1x category.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Marcus and wish him all the best for the rest of this season!
The Cobra is designed for those looking for the stiffest and fastest racing boat money can buy with no compromises. Perfect for those who simply want the best-in-class. This shell is crafted from high modulus uni-directional pre-preg carbon fibre and is pared with our state of the art carbon bow wing rigger. Optional Upgrade: SE – One piece outer layer of carbon with a choice of matte black wet sanded for ultimate hydrodynamic efficiency
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
This weekend the 1972 Olympic Rowing venue in Munich played host to this year’s European Rowing Junior Championships. 500 rowers from 27 European nations took part with the chance to become European Junior Champions.
Four WinTech Racing boats were used at the event. Athletes racing in three of the four boats won medals with a Gold in the Men’s 2x won by Poland and bronze medals in the Women’s 8+ & Mens 4+ from Czech Republic.
A big thanks to all who made the regatta possible and also to MyRowingPhoto for the amazing photos! The 2022 edition of the European Rowing Junior Championships will be held in Sabaudia, Italy from 21 to 22 May 2022.
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
The fifth European Rowing U23 Championships were held this weekend in Kruszwica, Poland which featured entries from 30 European countries including Olympians and World U23 Champions from earlier this year. 22 boat classes are included in the event with athletes competing to become European Under 23 Champions.
Five WinTech Racing boats were used at the event. All athletes using WinTech boats made the A finals with 3 of the 5 boats coming home with medals. A Gold and Silver in the lightweight women’s single sculls and a bronze medal in the men’s pair.
A big thanks to all who made the regatta possible and also to AllMarkOne and MyRowingPhoto for the amazing photos!
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
Last week saw the Hungarian Nationals Championships take place.
There were 93 finals with events ranging from U13 right the way up to elite level. #TeamWinTech did us proud winning the following medals:
Congratulations to all athletes and coaches
| Event | Club | Result |
| NTT42x | FEC | Gold |
| NS4x | Győr | Gold |
| NI1x | Szolnok | Gold |
| NIks1x | Kalocsa | Gold |
| FTT31x | Győr | Gold |
| FTT31x | vvsi | Gold |
| NT T2 2x | vvsi | Gold |
| NT T3 1x | szolnok | Gold |
| NT T3 1x | arrabona | Gold |
| FT t2 2x | vvsi | Gold |
| fi ks 1x | külker | Gold |
| fi 2- | csepel | Gold |
| nf ks 4x | dek | Gold |
| ns 1x | szolnok | Gold |
| ni 2x | dek | Gold |
| ni ks 2x | Kalocsa | Gold |
| n amatőr tura 2x | csongrád | Gold |
| nt t4 1x | arrabona | Gold |
| ns 2x | szolnok | Gold |
| ft t4 1x | szolnok | Gold |
| mix t1-t3 4x+ | vvsi | Gold |
| nf 8+ | dek | Gold |
| Event | Club | Result |
| NTT42x | Móvár | Silver |
| NT T2 2x | arrabona | Silver |
| NT T3 1x | győr | Silver |
| FT t2 2x | győr | Silver |
| FT t4 4+ | vvsi | Silver |
| fi ks 1x | csepel | Silver |
| fi 2- | fec | Silver |
| ns 2- | szeged | Silver |
| ni ks 2x | vvsi | Silver |
| n amatőr tura 2x | tata | Silver |
| fs 2- | szolnok | Silver |
| fs 1x | szolnok | Silver |
| f i 4- | fec | Silver |
| f i 2x | csepel | Silver |
| fi ks 2x | Kalocsa | Silver |
| ni 8+ | vác | Silver |
| ns 2x | Kalocsa | Silver |
| fs 2x | csepel | Silver |
| ni 4x | dek | Silver |
| ff ks 8+ | baja | Silver |
| ff ks 2- | csepel | Silver |
| nf 8+ | külker | Silver |
| Event | Club | Result |
| NS4x | FEC | Bronze |
| NIks1x | Csongrád | Bronze |
| FFks4- | Baja | Bronze |
| FTT4 2x | Mohács | Bronze |
| NTT44+ | VVSI | Bronze |
| FTT31x | Vasas | Bronze |
| NT T2 2x | vvsi | Bronze |
| fi ks 1x | Kalocsa | Bronze |
| fi 1x | csepel | Bronze |
| fi 2- | csepel | Bronze |
| nf ks 4x | szolnok | Bronze |
| fs 8+ | vác | Bronze |
| NT T4 8+ | dek | Bronze |
| ns 2- | győr | Bronze |
| ns 1x | szolnok | Bronze |
| ni 4- | szolnok | Bronze |
| fs 2- | győr | Bronze |
| fs 1x | csepel | Bronze |
| f i 4- | vvsi | Bronze |
| f i 2x | dek | Bronze |
| fi ks 2x | csepel | Bronze |
| ff 2- | fec | Bronze |
| nt t4 1x | csepel | Bronze |
| fs 2x | csepel | Bronze |
| nf ks 2x | vvsi | Bronze |
| ff ks 2x | arrabona | Bronze |
| nf 8+ | bee | Bronze |
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
The achieved results were amazing by athletes racing in WinTech Racing Boats. In total the boat of WinTech won 3 medals: 2 – Gold Medals and 1 – Silver Medal. A summary of the medal winners can be seen below:
Come and join #TeamWinTech today! Our value goes beyond that of just a great product for a great price.
Senegal benefit from WinTech Racing’s ethical policy to provide free boats to poor and developing counties.
Vincent Tassery, the FISA development coach on site in Senegal said, “Senegal has many keen and enthusiastic rowers, but we are desperate for equipment. With no access to funds this seemed like an impossible dream. Then I heard about WinTech Racing’s scheme which seemed too good to be true.
I contacted WinTech Racing and it was very straightforward. They sent me a list of boats available immediately and I told them which boats I needed and shortly after the boats arrived. When we opened the container, we could not believe our eyes, as it was full of gleaming new boats”.
Klaus Filter, the Director of research and development at WinTech Racing said, “When I joined the company in 1995, I was impressed by WinTech’s willingness to help in the development of rowing which is very much in tune with my own views.”
WinTech Racing’s Environmental Initiative
Being socially responsible and sustainable is integral to living up to our values and realise our vision of delivering a brand to rival and exceed our competitors. We are proud of our innovative and environmentally sustainable approach to boat building.
WinTech Racing achieve some sensational results at the German Sprint Championships 2020
This is the only ‘official’ German Championship Regatta organised by the German Rowing Federation in 2020, it took place on the 8th and 9th of October. As you can imagine due to lockdown restrictions this year, the event had a vast entry!
The results for WinTech Racing this weekend were sensational!
10 out of the 34 new “Deutsche Meister” won their Gold Medals in WinTech Racing boats and 5 of the Gold Medals were won using WinTech Racing RDS oars!
What makes this even more remarkable is when you consider that a maximum 2% of the boats at the regatta were WinTech’s!
The results:
Gold / German Champions:
Senior Women 8+ (SW8+A) Ruder-Union Arkona Berlin (Havelqueen-Achter)
Senior Women 4+ (SW4+A) Ruder-Club Potsdam
Senior Women 2- (SW2-A) Ruder-Union Arkona Berlin, Mandy Repner & Wiebke Kaufhold
Senior Women 2x (SW2xA) Ruder-Club Potsdam, Anni Kötitz & Maren Volz
Junior Women A 8+ (JW8+A) Ruder-Club Potsdam
Junior Women A 4+ (JW4+A) Ruder-Club Potsdam
Junior Men B 2x (JM2xB) Pirnaer Ruderverein, Joel Wiener & Tom Salz
Junior Women B 8+ (JW8+B) Ruder-Club Potsdam
Junior Women B 4x+ (JW4x+B) Wiking Offenbach
PARA PR1M1x Rüdersdorfer RV Kalkberge, Enrico Schildberger
Silver
Junior Women A 2x (JW2xA) Ruderverein Waltrop
Junior Women B 4+ (JW4+B) Ruder-Club Potsdam
Bronze
Junior Women A 8+ (JW8+A) Ruderverein Waltrop
Junior Men B 4+ (JM4+B) Pirnaer Ruderverein
WinTech Racing look forward to seeing you at the next event.
It continues with the European Rowing Championships. After the U23’s in Duisburg, the juniors championships take place this weekend in Belgrade.
426 rowers from 27 different European nations made the trip to Serbia to race for medals in 14 boats classes.
After the capricious weather on Saturday, the finals were held in good conditions on Sunday.
Estonia and Poland had crews in WinTech Racing Boats this year :
JM4X EST, 2nd B Final
JM2- POL, 2nd B Final
In two weeks, we will be in Poznan, Poland for the European Rowing Championships.
The Elite rowers are waiting on Lake Malta for these championships that should have been organised in May.