Three finalists for Romania at the World Rowing awards for 2025, including the crew and coach of the year » What Dorin Alupei says

Excitement until 19:00 on January 24, when the ceremony to announce the winners of the international rowing federation awards will begin at a gala in Lausanne.

Among those who are on the short list of finalists, there are also representatives of Romania. Sita sifted through the counting of public nominations and an analysis by a jury of experts for each category.

Three finalists for Romania at the World Rowing 2025 awards

At “Women's Crew of the Year”, Magdalena Rusu and Simona Radis are finalists, along with the components of the 8 plus 1 frame boat of the Netherlands, Linn Van Aanholt, Nika Vos, Lisanne Van Der Lelij, Vera Sneijders, Hermijntje Drenth, Ilse Kolkman, Ymkje Clevering, Tinka Offereins and Dieuwke Fetterand of Emma Twing from New Zealand, single skiff.

Dorin Alupacoordinating coach of the national team, is also shortlisted for the 'Coach of the Year' category, which also includes Nicholas Benavente (Great Britain), Diederik Simon (The Netherlands) and Marc Oria (US).

World Rowing has also been offering the Thomas Keller Medal since 1990, a special distinction which is awarded to athletes with a distinguished career, five factors being taken into consideration for nomination, including international success, number of medals, sportsmanship, technical mastery, how they are perceived internationally, but the ability to overcome obstacles and difficulties.

Ioana Vrînceanu (31 years old) is among the finalists for this medal. She finished her career at the end of 2024 and did it after fulfilling a big dream: she became the Olympic champion in Paris in the 8 plus 1 sculls and the runner-up in the double sculls, together with Roxana Anghel.

She also has three world titles and 10 European titles, plus a bronze medal at the WC and a silver medal at the EC.

Dorin Alupei: “I expected it, their performances were special”

“I expected the girls, because their performances this year were special” said Dorin Alupei exclusively for GSP. “They have won both the European Championships, the World Cup and the World Championships. I did a quick analysis and there aren't many women's crews that have won all three competitions“, he added.

“I thought they would at least be nominated. Now I don't know if they'll win, but we'll see.”

Magdalena Rusu and Simona Radiș Photo: FR Canotaj/Balint Czucz

The women's double sculls team has been formed since 2025 itself and has achieved full success this season. Radiș was coming after several years of success in double rowing alongside Ancuta Bodnarand Rusu had competed with important results in the 8 plus 1 frame and 4 frame boats.

“When I took over the team, I also talked to the athletes, I told them that last year's performances were beautifully displayed, we look at them, take one more picture, but we're kind of starting over.“, explains Alupei.

“I did a reset, I did selection in small boats and they two came first. One on the right, one on the left and they formed a crew. And pretty much everywhere, and in the 4 and 8 boat, they were always on top. They deserved to stay together, that was an objective thing“, adds the coordinating coach.

Dorin Alupei: “Ancuța Bodnar also integrated very well”

4-frame boat (f) – Gianina Juncănariu, Amalia Bereș, Adriana Adam, Ancuța Bodnar Photo: FR Canotaj/Balint Czucz

The world had gotten used to Simona alongside Ancuța, Olympic champions at Tokyo 2020, double world and triple European champions in the double rowing event. “They wanted to change a bit, both Simona and Ancuța, especially since this sport is cyclical, you repeat the movement continuously and with the same partner, the same partner… At some point… It can be the best food in the world, if you eat it every day… a change is welcome“, detailed Dorin Alupei.

“And they really received her properly, and Ancuța integrated very well, she won two medals in two events at the World Cup, one at the European. At the end of the year, I actually talked to her like that, between drops, and she told me that she was very happy, emotional, even if there were no gold medals. The important thing is that she managed to integrate, to feel OK”.

Dorin Alupei: “It honors and obliges me, it is the merit of the whole team”

As for him, he points out: “The good part is that people made objective assessments and, being the third nation at the World Cup, the first at the World Cup in Lucerne, well placed, it seems to me that for two, at the Europeans, it was somewhat normal. I had no illusions, I don't know what, but it is welcome. It is important that I am on the short list, it makes me happy, honors and obliges me”.

Dorin Alupei is from 2025 the new coach of the national rowing teams Photo: GSP

Then he adds:It actually compels us all. It is the credit of the whole team, not necessarily my credit, everyone worked, my colleagues, the medical part, the athletes, first of all, that these performances were achieved“.

About the nomination of Ioana Vrînceanu he says that “it is a well-deserved recognition. And for visibility it is very welcome, it is a sign of consideration, that the world sees us as a strong nationOver time, only for Romania Elisabeta Lipa has received the Thomas Keller medal so far, in 2008.

At the World Rowing 2024 awards, Romania won the Women's Crew of the Year, the 8 plus 1 sculls category, and the Coach of the Year, through Antonio Colamonici.

(P) Petrom is the main sponsor of the Romanian Rowing Federation and supports the next generation of champions through the “Energy for Performance” program.