Croatia’s Legendary Sinković Brothers Confirm Return to Golden Oar 2026

  • Croatia’s Legendary Sinković Brothers Confirm Return to Golden Oar 2026 image

Three-time Olympic gold medallists Martin and Valent Sinković to race again on Lake Burley Griffin


Golden Oar is thrilled to announce that Croatian rowing icons Martin and Valent Sinković will return to compete at The Golden Oar 2026, Canberra’s premier international rowing festival, taking place from 30 October to 1 November on the iconic waters of Lake Burley Griffin at Black Mountain Peninsula. The brothers, widely regarded as one of the greatest crews in rowing history and Croatia’s most decorated Summer Olympians, made their highly anticipated Australian debut at the inaugural Golden Oar in November 2025. Their presence electrified spectators and elevated the event’s global profile as they raced in the Open Mixed Quadruple Sculls alongside Australian Olympians. 

Now, following a strong 2026 season that has included World Cup gold in Plovdiv and a European Championships bronze in the men’s double sculls, the Sinkovićs are set to make a triumphant return to the Southern Hemisphere for the expanded three-day festival. Adding even more star power to the Golden Oar, Martin and Valent Sinković are relishing the chance to team up again with Australian Olympic sculler Tara Rigney — and this time they’ll also have Laura Gourley, stroke of the Australian Women’s Eight, alongside them.

Rigney, from Mosman Rowing Club, is a two-time Olympian, World Championship medallist and one of Australia’s leading international scullers who’s already enjoyed a successful World Cup return this season.

Gourley, from UTS Haberfield Rowing Club, is a former Australian team sculler who’s since moved into the  Australian Eight, helping power the crew to World Cup gold and silver in 2026.

For Martin and Valent, the prospect of racing alongside two of Australia’s leading women is another reason to be excited about returning to Canberra. Two Olympic champion brothers, two Australian champion scullers in the same boat — it’s exactly the sort of combination that makes the Golden Oar special.

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The 2026 Golden Oar, presented by Canberra Airport, builds on the spectacular success of its debut year. The event now spans three action-packed days and features expanded categories including Open Mixed Quad Sculls, Mixed Double Sculls showcase events, Club Mixed Eights, Under 19, Masters, and Para events. Athletes will contest a demanding combination of tactical, endurance and sprint distances for more than A$200,000 in prize money – one of the richest purses in world rowing – alongside a vibrant lakeside festival of live music, local food and community celebrations.

Entries for Golden Oar 2026 are now open – Enter Here