Leander to receive a £1.5 million grant for refurbishment from the Lottery Sports Fund. In 2015, the Women's Boat Race was combined with the men's race on the River Thames in London. At international level, women’s rowing was dominated by Eastern European countries, such as Romania, Russia, and Bulgaria, until the collapse of the communism. Since then the most successful rowing nations have included Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain and New Zealand: countries that have rivers and lakes suitable for rowing on. The United States also has often had very competitive crews, and in recent years these crews have become even more competitive given the surge in women’s collegiate rowing, and the establishment of the NCAA Rowing Championships for women. Well-known rowers of recent years include Ekaterina Karsten (Belarus) in women's single sculls; Kathrin Boron (Germany) in women's double sculls and quadruples. See also Henley Royal Regatta The Boat Race References External links Friends of rowing history A Brief History of Rowing