Karsten Forsterling
Melbourne University Boat Club (VIC)
Karsten Forsterling’s career in rowing is marked by consistent excellence, versatility, and a commitment to teamwork. Representing Victoria, Forsterling’s journey through the sport began in his junior years and progressed to become a key figure in Australia's elite rowing program, where he achieved national dominance and significant international success. His career highlights include multiple King's Cup victories, World Championship medals, and Olympic podium finishes. A versatile athlete, Forsterling has competed in numerous boat classes, including the Coxless Four, Men's Eight, Quad Scull, and Double Scull, consistently delivering high-level performances.
Forsterling’s rowing career took off early, with a series of remarkable performances in 1998. He helped his crews to victory at the National Championships, winning the Junior Coxless Four, Junior Coxed Four, and the Men’s Interstate Youth Eight, earning the King's Cup for Victoria. These early successes set the foundation for a bright future in the sport. On the international stage, Forsterling and his Junior Coxless Four finished 4th at the World Rowing Junior Championships that year, gaining valuable international exposure.
In 1999, Forsterling continued his success, winning both the Under 23 Coxless Four and the Men’s Interstate Youth Eight at the National Championships. He also represented Australia at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, where his Men’s Eight placed 4th, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level in the senior ranks.
The early 2000s saw Forsterling transition to senior-level rowing, where his success continued. In 2000, he won the Under 23 Coxless Pair and Coxless Four at the National Championships, cementing his place as one of Australia's top up-and-coming rowers. At the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, his Men’s Eight finished 2nd, marking one of his first podium finishes on the world stage.
Forsterling’s dominance continued at the National Championships, where he won the King's Cup in 2001 with the Men's Interstate Eight. At the World Rowing Cup IV, he and his crew finished 5th in the Men’s Eight, and at the World Rowing Championships, they placed 7th. In 2002, he helped his crew claim the King's Cup again and finished 2nd at World Rowing Cup III. However, his Men’s Eight finished 7th at the World Championships, a challenging result that motivated him to push harder in subsequent seasons.
In 2003, Forsterling and his crew claimed yet another King's Cup victory at the National Championships, and internationally, they finished 3rd at the World Rowing Cup III and 5th at the World Championships, continuing to prove their competitiveness on the world stage.
The next few years saw Forsterling solidify his position as one of Australia’s elite rowers. In 2004, his crew finished 6that the World Rowing Championship in the Coxed Four, and in 2005, his Coxless Pair finished 9th at the World Rowing Championships.
Forsterling’s success returned in 2006, when he won the King's Cup again and secured strong results at the World Rowing Cups, with a 3rd place at World Cup I and a 1st place at World Cup II. At the World Rowing Championships, his crew finished 4th, narrowly missing out on a podium spot. The following year, in 2007, he and his crew claimed another King's Cup victory at the National Championships, and though his international results were mixed (with finishes of 6th at World Rowing Cup III and 8th at the World Rowing Championship), Forsterling continued to push for excellence in the men’s senior competitions.
In 2008, Forsterling transitioned into the Quad Scull and began to find new success. He and his crew claimed the National Championship in the Coxless Four and competed well on the international stage, with a 1st place finish at World Rowing Cup I. His Coxless Pair also placed 8th at World Rowing Cup II and 4th at World Rowing Cup III.
Forsterling’s breakthrough came in 2010 with his victory in the National Championship Double Scull, which solidified his position as one of Australia’s premier rowers. At the World Rowing Championship, Forsterling's Quad Scull team earned a 3rd place finish, marking his first World Championship medal in the event. His crew also performed well internationally in the World Rowing Cups, finishing 4th at World Rowing Cup II and 5th at World Rowing Cup III.
The following year, in 2011, Forsterling’s hard work paid off as he and his Quad Scull crew took 1st place at the World Rowing Championships, becoming world champions. This victory was the culmination of years of effort and firmly established him as one of the world’s best in the event. He also finished 3rd at World Rowing Cup III that year, solidifying his position on the world stage.
Forsterling’s consistency continued in 2012, where he secured the National Championship Quad Scull title for the third consecutive year. His Quad Scull team also earned 3rd place at the London Olympic Games, clinching the Bronze medal—a remarkable achievement that capped off his stellar international career.
At the London Olympics - Karsten in two seat
From the Hebfotos collection
Though the 2013-2014 seasons saw some tougher results for Forsterling, including 5th and 6th place finishes at the World Rowing Cups and a 2nd place finish at the World Rowing Championships in the Quad Scull in 2015, his resilience shone through. In 2016, Forsterling and his Quad Scull crew triumphed at the World Rowing Cups, securing 1st place at both World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III, setting the stage for his second Olympic appearance.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he and his crew came agonizingly close to gold, securing 2nd place in the Quad Scull and earning a Silver medal, proving that his drive and dedication to the sport remained unwavering.
Enjoying the moment in Rio in 2016
Photo from the Guerin collection
Karsten Forsterling’s career has been one of consistent achievement, marked by multiple King’s Cup victories, World Championship medals, and two Olympic podium finishes. His journey from his early days in the Junior Coxless Four to his world-class performances in the Quad Scull and Double Scull has made him one of Australia’s most respected rowers. Forsterling’s ability to transition between boat classes and continue delivering at the highest level is a testament to his versatility and leadership within Australia’s rowing community. His legacy will inspire generations of rowers to come.
Some rowing highlights
1996 APS Head of the River, MGS 1st VIII bow seat - Second
1997 APS Head of the River, MGS 1st VIII seven seat - First
1998 National Championship Junior Coxless Four – First
1998 National Championship Junior Coxed Four – First
1998 National Championship Men's Interstate Youth Eight – First
1998 World Rowing Junior Championships Coxless Four – Four
1999 National Championship Under 23 Coxless Four – First
1999 National Championship Men's Interstate Youth Eight – First
1999 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Tenth
1999 World Rowing Under 23 Championship Men’s Eight – Fourth
2000 National Championship Under 23 Coxless Pair – First
2000 National Championship Under 23 Coxless Four – First
2000 World Rowing Under 23 Championship Men’s Eight – Second
2001 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup– First
2001 World Rowing Cup IV Men’s Eight – Fifth
2002 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup – First
2002 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2002 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Seventh
2003 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup – First
2003 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Third
2003 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Fifth
2004 World Rowing Championship Coxed Four – Sixth
2005 World Rowing Championship Coxless Pair – Ninth
2006 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup – First
2006 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Eight – Third
2006 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – First
2006 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Fourth
2007 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup – First
2007 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Tenth
2007 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Sixth
2007 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Eighth
2008 National Championship Coxless Four – First
2008 World Rowing Cup I Men’s Eight – First
2008 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Pair – Eighth
2008 World Rowing Cup III Coxless Pair – Fourth
2010 National Championship Double Scull – First
2010 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Fourth
2010 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Fifth
2010 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – Third
2011 National Championship Quad Scull – First
2011 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Third
2011 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – First
2012 National Championship Quad Scull – First
2012 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Ninth
2012 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Fifth
2012 London Olympic Games Quad Scull – Third
2015 National Championship Men's Interstate Eight King’s Cup – First
2015 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – Fifth
2015 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – Sixth
2015 World Rowing Championship Quad Scull – Second
2016 World Rowing Cup II Quad Scull – First
2016 World Rowing Cup III Quad Scull – First
2016 Rio Olympic Games Quad Scull – Second
2019 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight - Fourth
Jack Hargreaves
February 2025