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GB Paralympic Pathway quad prepares to race at the very first Junior Fours Head

New to the racing programme this year, Junior Fours Head will also host the first ever Paralympic boat to take part in a Fours Head, as a crew of pathway athletes train for the competition

It’s a year for firsts on the Thames Tideway, as a brand new event joins the premier Head Races on one of the country’s most iconic stretches of river.

The Junior Fours Head has been created to increase racing opportunities for juniors, with 1,200 competitors expected to race for the first round of titles in 2025.

We hope that seeing crews like this come together will inspire athletes with the potential to be Paralympic Champions to see if they have what it takes to join us – Paralympic Head Coach Nicola Benavente

Amongst those crews is one racing as Avon County RC, made up of four athletes with disabilities that classify them as PR3 Paralympic athletes. This athlete class makes up the GB PR3 Mixed Coxed four, famously the most successful boat in Paralympic rowing history. Great Britain have been defending Champions for the event ever since the introduction of rowing to the Paralympic programme for Beijing 2008.

Classifiable disabilities within the boat include a visual impairment, Talipes (more commonly known as clubfoot), and Anthrogryposis.

“Having more opportunities for our Pathway athletes to race domestically is great for the future of Paralympic rowing in Great Britain,” said Paralympic Head Coach Nicola Benavente. “The Junior Fours Head will give these juniors valuable experience racing on a national level, as well as showcasing the talent coming up through the Pathway.”

 

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All four junior athletes racing in London this November are on the GB Rowing Team Paralympic Pathway, rowing together as a crew for the first time at the October GB Performance Development Academy Camp.

Stroke Amalia Sangiovanni Vincentelli learned to row at Rob Roy RC, having taken up the sport in Cambridge. Unbeaten last season, Amalia currently holds the Championship titles for Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and the British Rowing Club Championships. After a weekend spent training with her new crew (although a misty morning in Nottingham meant Sunday’s sessions were unfortunately called off) she’s excited about what they’ll bring to race day.

“With a new PR3 Single Sculls event now at the U23 World Rowing Championships, there are more opportunities than ever for Para athletes to race on the international stage”

“Our first session was really good. For the first quad we’ve been in together it was dynamic and we really enjoyed it. We’re now really excited for the race. We’ll be the first para crew at Junior Fours Head, so it’ll be a really nice opportunity to represent the Paras!”

Nicola hopes that seeing crews like this racing will encourage athletes and coaches alike to look into classifying for the most successful Paralympic rowing programme in the world.

“Many of our PR3 rowers were already rowing in clubs, schools or at university when they realised they could classify as a para rower,” said Nicola. “With a new PR3 Single Sculls event now at the U23 World Rowing Championships, there are more opportunities than ever for Para athletes to race on the international stage. We hope that seeing crews like this come together will inspire athletes with the potential to be Paralympic Champions to see if they have what it takes to join us – we’re always recruiting.”

Chairman of the Junior Fours Head Tim Liversage is excited to welcome the first ever Paralympic boat to race at a Fours Head.

“Entries for the inaugural Junior Fours Head were oversubscribed – a testament to the immense demand for junior racing. With competitions throughout the calendar doing their best to bridge gaps in racing opportunities, the Putney High Junior Fours Head will be featuring the first-ever junior para crew in the junior mixed Quads. Our dedicated organising committee are excited to be working with volunteers to ensure a successful and inclusive event for as many rowers as possible in our first year.”