Rower Tristan back home in Bruges after World Cup title in Italy

A boost is that with a view to the Olympic Games, in Paris within two years.

So the belt can come off for a week for Tristan Vandenbussche. Well deserved after the first ever gold World Cup medal for Belgium on an Olympic rowing number. Vandenbussche and Andries were the top favorites in Varese, and lived up to that status.

“Extra stress”

Tristan Vandenbussche: “Since May we have been training together in doubles, almost constantly together. Especially with the results of the last matches, there is still extra stress. Those results are good, you are the fastest U23 team, and you arrive as a favorite the start, and that just adds extra pressure.

We knew in advance, because we were the favourites, that other teams would try to get off to a fast start. We have done as usual. We knew that if we were still close to 1000, our second half is usually a lot stronger.”

Goal remains Olympics

The ultimate goal, of course, remains the Olympic Games in Paris. If it is only possible in the single scull, but if the double sculls offer more guarantee for gold, then Vandenbussche will gladly get into that boat.

If you want to see the brand new world champion at work in our country, you can go to Hazewinkel at the beginning of September for the European Championship under 23.