Record entry for the Grosvenor Cup: Para racing at Henley Women’s Regatta
8 scullers will compete for a purple box in the PR3 Single Sculls event this weekend
Credit: AllMarkOne
In 2024 the Grosvenor Cup boasted three entries, but prior to that the event hadn’t run in three years. Eight competitors in a Paralympic event at the premier regatta for women in the UK marks a significant step for domestic para rowing.
Defending Champion Samantha Gough of St Andrew BC will be racing again, alongside runner up Rebekah Knight, fresh off a win from Monmouth Regatta.
The Paralympic Pathway has several competitors in the mix this weekend. Amongst the junior competitors is Amalia Sangiovanni Vincentelli (Rob Roy BC), who recently won gold in the Girls’ Adaptive Single Sculls at Junior Inter Regional Regatta. Amalia had an impressive 12.8 second lead on silver medallist Charlotte Taylor of Oundle School BC, who will also be competing this weekend.
Eimear Slee of Warrington RC also raced at Junior Inter Regional Regatta earlier this season. “Being involved in the sport of rowing has completely transformed who I am as a person,” Eimear said after her race. “But it’s not just about me – I’d like to be able to make adaptive rowing more accessible to other people with disabilities.”
“There is also likely to be a number of athletes taking part across the HWR weekend with conditions that could classify them for para rowing.”
Also on the Paralympic Pathway is Louise Dunn of Exeter RC, facing up against Gough on Saturday. Louise said; “I’m definitely nervous, I can’t lie, but it’s got to the stage where I’m so excited. It’s such an amazing event, I love how it promotes women’s sport.
“To be there as a para rower is very amazing. I’m so happy there’s such a strong entry. It shows para rowing is thriving. My training has been interrupted, but even just to get here is such a huge achievement. I’m a working mum, I’ve got two small children. I’m going to go out there and do my best and try to enjoy it. Everyone at Exeter RC has been so supportive, I just want to do them proud.”
Other competitors in the event include Shelia Forde of Marlow RC and Ella Keady of Tribesmen RC, Ireland.
Paralympic Head Coach Nicola Benavente said: “It’s encouraging to see that entries for this race have more than doubled since last year. Events like this are important for adaptive rowing clubs and the para rowing pathway because it gives athletes more opportunity to hone their skills and develop their side-by-side racing experience. There are also likely to be a number of athletes taking part across the HWR weekend with conditions that could classify them for adaptive / para rowing. Contact our pathway coaches with any questions, and who knows, you could be part of another record entry for this race in 2026!”
History of the event
The Grosvenor Cup was presented by Grosvenor Rowing Club, Chester, in 2015 to mark 40 years of women members at the club and the launch of their adaptive rowing programme. Grosvenor was one of the first clubs to appoint a woman as captain.
The Grosvenor Cup was initially held over 1000m, but since 2019 competitors compete over the full HWR course.
Paralympic Classification
PR3 is a classification for Paralympic rowing. PR3 rowers can use the sliding seat you see in non-adaptive rowing. They will have a physical or visual impairment which meets the minimum criteria to be able to compete in Paralympic events.
Some examples of disabilities are:
- Restricted ankle/wrist movement (e.g. fused ankle, club foot)
- Three finger amputation on one hand
- B3/B2 visual impairment
- Below knee amputee
- Erb’s Palsy
The GB Rowing Team has won a gold medal at every single Paralympics since rowing was introduced to the programme in 2008. The PR3 Mixed Coxed Four has been unbeaten since 2010, and we’re always recruiting!
If you, or someone you know, might have what it takes to become a Paralympic Champion, fill in the form below and talk to one of our coaches today.
