Unipd rowing team at the 22nd international university rowing challenge

The University of Padua won silver at the 2026 edition of the International University Rowing Challenge, an event that each year brings together crews from Italian and international universities in a competition that combines tradition, sport and university spirit. The 2026 edition, organised by Università Ca’ Foscari and Iuav di Venezia in collaboration with Cus Venezia, took place on 5 and 6 September as part of the Regata Storica di Venezia, one of the most representative events of the Venetian rowing tradition.

Gold went to the team from the Venetian universities Ca’ Foscari and Iuav–CUS Venezia, which thus won this edition of the rowing challenge. The final for third place was won by the athletes of the University of Vienna, who defeated the University of Warwick.

The Rowing Challenge is an important opportunity for universities to meet and compare, promoting the values of sport, collaboration and a sense of belonging to the academic community. The event offers the participating universities the chance to enjoy an experience that combines sporting competition with the enhancement of the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Venezia.

Unipd is represented by its rowing team made up of 12 students who, over the course of the year, took part in the project "Remare all'Università", which encourages the spread of sporting practice and the educational values of rowing, in collaboration with CUS Padova and the club Canottieri Padova. The international Venetian challenge is one of the most significant moments in the team’s sporting journey, and in recent years it has consolidated its presence at the main national university events.

Representing the University of Padua were Davide Alborghetti, Pietro Bettella, Marta Cavicchia, Anna Giurisato, Mattia Mucalan, Ludovico Nanni, Sarah Nicoletto, Niccolò Rizzardini, Laura Salmaso and Vittoria Stangherlin, with Edoardo Ercolin as cox, coached by Gherardo Gamba.

«Second place in Venezia is a result that makes us particularly proud and rewards the commitment and determination of our students," comments Alberto Zanatta, the Rector’s delegate for wellbeing and sport. "Taking part in the Rowing Challenge is an important sporting experience and an opportunity for comparison, sharing and growth. As a University, we support sport, recognising its value as an integral part of the educational journey and the wellbeing of our university community.»