Britain dominate International Para-Rowing Regatta by claiming eight golds

Great Britain took six gold medals at the International Para-Rowing regatta with a hugely dominant display ©FISA

Great Britain produced a dominant performance by claiming six gold medals at the International Para-Rowing Regatta in Gavirate, Italy.

The team of Pamela Relph, Grace Clough, Dan Brown, James Fox and cox Oliver James were the pick of their nation’s rowers as they gold in the LTA mixed coxed four, a boat class in which Britain are both Paralympic and world champions, by clocking 3mins 28.50secs to cross the line in front of Germany.

Rose Linden, making her debut at the event, then replaced Relph for the second ‘A’ final of the meeting and just as they had done the previous day, they surged to victory in a time of 3:24.70, finishing comfortably ahead of Italy.

Britain also had individual success in Italy as Laurence Whiteley was at the double in the TA men’s single sculls event as he posted 4:15.30 in his opening race before he beat compatriot Scott Meenagh, who ended the competition with gold and bronze, in the second final with a time of 4:19.40.

2008 Paralympic champion Tom Aggar reigned supreme in the AS men’s single scull, ending the regatta with a gold and silver thanks largely to a rapid time of 5:05:50 in his first outing, a minute quicker than nearest challenger Aleksei Chuvashev of Russia.

The Russian hit back in the next race as the two battled for supremacy, but it was Chuvashev who had a little more in the tank as he took gold.

2008 Paralympic champion Tom Aggar was integral to Britain's success as he secured gold and silver ©Getty Images

“Tom opened his season with some very solid speed but the Russian, Chuvashev, has clearly taken a step on over the winter and the ASM1x continues to be a real dogfight,” Britain’s rowing team lead coach Tom Dyson said.

“In addition to the Russian sculler, there were particularly strong performances from the Israeli and Norwegian ASW1x, and a strong field in the TA2x that highlight the fight we can expect for qualification places in Aiguebelette.”

Dyson also revelled in his side’s performance during the competition, and his British team will remain in Italy for a training camp in Varese, Italy, the venue for the second Rowing World Cup on June 19 to 21.

“The squad had a strong showing this regatta with some great results across the board,” he added.

“The LTA4+ showed the strength of competition for this season’s crew with dominant performances in both combinations we raced here.”