PR3 mixed coxed four named World Para Rowing Crew of the Year

Great Britain’s PR3 mixed coxed four – reigning Paralympic and world champions – have been named 2019 World Rowing Para Crew of the Year.

Ellen Buttrick, Giedre Rakauskaite, James Fox, Ollie Stanhope and cox Erin Wysocki-Jones were presented with the award in London months on from a dominant World Championships triumph.

Claiming global gold in Linz-Ottensheim by a margin of 12 seconds, the quintet extended their run of nine successive Paralympic and world gold medals.

“It’s a great honour to win Para Crew of the Year,” said Fox, a five-time world champion.

“The fact that we’ve won the World Championships every year since 2013 and this is the first time we’ve been voted Crew of the Year shows that the competition is stiff but also that it is about more than just results and that’s what makes it a real compliment.

“I’m really proud of our crew, we have great fun racing and winning things like this is the cherry on top. We are very grateful to FISA for the award.”

GB teammates Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley, also reigning Paralympic and world champions, were also nominated for the award.

Chief Coach for the Paralympic Programme Tom Dyson said: “Qualification year always sees nations worldwide stepping up to new standards.

“For the crew and Nick to deliver a standout championships and be recognised by World Rowing amongst such stiff competition is a huge credit to them.

“I know it will also be a result celebrated by their peers who have been a part of the history of this boat class in Great Britain and have driven the standards and competition within our system over the last nine years.”

Sportsbeat 2019