2022 Champions Twellar and Twigg to Defend Titles Ahead of Paris Olympics World Rowing Champion Jeannine Gmelin Named Gold Cup Honorary Chairperson
Conshohocken, PA (March 14, 2023) – Eight of the fastest rowers in international single sculling will face off on the Cooper River in a sprint race for the title of best single sculler in the world and grand prizes of $16,000. The 2023 Gold Cup Challenge will take place on October 28, 2023 in Camden, New Jersey. In addition to this historically significant race, there will be several events for US rowers, held to further promote and advance the sport of sculling within the United States. This is a rare opportunity to see the absolute highest levels of world rowing athleticism in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup
Both 2022 Gold Cup Champions, Emma Twigg (NZL) and Melvin Twellaar (NED) have declared their intent to return to Camden and defend their titles. The remaining three men and women in the competitive lineup will be invited following the World Rowing Championships (Sep 3- Sep 10 in Belgrade). Prize money of $16,000 will be awarded to each men’s and women’s Champion; $12,000 for second place; $8,000 for third place and $4,000 for fourth place. World Rowing Champion and former Gold Cup competitor Jeannine Gmelin (SUI) will serve as the race’s honorary Chairperson.
Lotman Challenge
Focused on promoting US elite sculling, the Lotman Challenge will keep the same format as 2022. This event will be open to any male or female US elite sculler to register free of charge. There will be a time trial in the morning, with the top four competitors advancing to the afternoon final. Prize money will be presented: $8,000 for each men’s and women’s Champion; $6,000 for second place; $4,000 for third place and $2,000 for fourth place. Registration for the event will open in August.
Hoffman Challenge
The Hoffman Challenge, for high school scullers, will also maintain the same format as in 2022 to help further promote youth sculling within the United States. Free registration will be available to interested scholastic-aged athletes in September.
Blackwall Duling Challenge
The Gold Challenge Cup Foundation will be sharing the format for the Blackwall Duling Challenge in early April. The Challenge highlights and promote adaptive sculling in the United States.
HUDSON (Ontario, Canada) and Concept2 (Vermont, USA) will continue their phenomenal support of the athletes as the official outfitters of the Gold Cup, providing custom boats and oars to the rowers.
The Gold Cup athletes will spend the week training on historic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia and engaging with the community through both youth and adult outreach and education.
Information about registration periods for the Lotman and Hoffman Challenges will be announced in detail this summer. Additionally, the schedule of races as well as a link to livestream will be available on the Gold Cup website, goldcup.org, the week of October 23rd.
Gold Challenge Cup History
The Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup – Philadelphia Gold Cup was commissioned by the Schuylkill Navy in 1920 to honor the undisputed world champion in the sport of single scull rowing. It pitted the world’s best amateur male single scullers against each other in a sprint race on the Schuylkill River. John B. Kelly Sr., of Philadelphia’s Vesper Boat Club, was the first recipient. In the mid-1960s, the trophy and competition disappeared. In 1996 after a long absence, the trophy was rediscovered and thanks to The Gold Challenge Cup Foundation the event returned to its glory in 2011. Since its revival the competition has grown to include the world’s top female scullers.
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Contact:
Elle Carolan
Gold Challenge Cup
610-715-5357