Tuesday Debrief: Fast times, farewells and photo finishes in Paris

Hot on the heels of the Olympic Games, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Regatta took place 30 August – 1 September and provided no less drama, excitement and emotion during an action-packed few days of racing at Paris’s Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Here’s our debrief…

Fast times across the board

During the heats on the opening day of competition five new Paralympic Games Best Times were set – yes, that’s all of the boat classes! In addition to this, Great Britain’s Lauren Rowles and Gregg Stevenson broke the World Best Time that they had set themselves at last year’s World Rowing Championships, when they had qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Their time in Paris of 7:56.92 was the first time a boat has gone under eight minutes in this boat class. Another World Best Time was set by another British crew in the PR3 mixed four – once again beating their own record. The crew clocked 6:43.68 in the heats.

Au revoir, Nathalie!

Although she may not be the only one, Nathalie Benoit did announce after the heats that the final would be the last race of her career, and what a career she has had! She has been racing internationally since 2009 and has raced at three Paralympic Games, five World Rowing Championships and two European Rowing Championships. Benoit went out on a high with a Paralympic bronze medal and was overcome with emotion after her race;

“It was the best race of my career. I was really determined, as it was my last race. I told myself that whatever happens I should savour every moment and make the most of every stroke. When I crossed the line and realised I was third, it was an explosion of happiness.”

New boat class

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games saw the addition of a new boat class, the PR3 mixed double scull. The debut of this boat class saw the reigning World Champions become the first ever Paralympic Champions. Australia’s Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager were the fastest in the heats and the fastest in the final, to claim the gold medal.

It was a particularly significant achievement for Australia as it was the first ever Paralympic rowing gold medal for the nation. Their time of 7:11.30 in the heats by default became the Paralympic Games Best Time. They are also holders of the World Best Time in this boat class; 07:07.02 set at World Rowing Cup II in Varese last year.

When every stroke matters

The photo finish camera had to come into action twice on finals day in Paris, in the last two races. For the PR3 mixed double scull, it was to split second and third places – Great Britain beating Germany to silver by 0.12 seconds whilst in the final race of the day, it was to decide a medal, or not.

It was delight for the local supporters when France were confirmed to have taken the bronze medal in the PR3 mixed coxed four, Germany missing out by just 0.06 seconds..

A good day for the British

Great Britain continued to show their dominance in Paralympic rowing. The British had a boat in four of the five boat classes – all of them made the final, and all of them won a medal. They go home with three sets of Paralympic champions, and a silver medal to boot. They continue to dominate the PR3 mixed four in particular; a boat class they are unbeaten in since 2010.

While GB topped the medal table, Australia and Israel took joint second place with a gold and bronze medal each.

Want some more?

If the above isn’t enough, check out our Paralympic Games rowing regatta debrief with Imogen Grant and Camilla Hadland-Horrocks on our Youtube channel!