Elite athletes descend on Philadelphia area to inspire young athletes and support rowing programs in under-resourced communities

CAMDEN, N.J. — SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 — The world’s top sculling champions will vie for a first prize of $16,000 and title of world’s fastest single sculler at the Philadelphia Gold Cup Challenge race held on October 24, 2026 at the Cooper River Park in Camden, NJ. The races run from 10:45 AM to 2:45 PM and are open to the public, with live coverage on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@thegoldcup3659) and a Q&A with the international athletes open to spectators, following the races.

The Gold Cup Challenge is unique in the rowing world: An 833 meter drag race of four of the top male and female single scullers in the world, for prize money. The race’s roots date to 1920 when the race and gold trophy were created to honor John B. Kelly, Philadelphia’s legendary champion. Two additional races, the Lotman Challenge and Hoffman Challenge will also take place for US elite rowers and for the top high school rowers in the country, respectively.

Stakes are as high as $50,000 for the women’s race – the Gold Cup Triple Challenge is in contention

Defending Gold Cup Champion and Olympic gold (2020) and silver medalist (2024) Emma Twigg of New Zealand returns to defend her title against Karolien Florijn of the Netherlands, Lauren O’Connor of the United States, and Lauren Henry of Great Britain.

Henry is the 2026 World Champion in the women’s single sculls, and the victor of the 2026 prestigious Henley Royal Regatta’s Princess Royal Challenge Cup. With those two previous successes, Henry enters the Gold Cup Challenge with a rare opportunity to be the first to win a $50,000 prize if she crosses the finish line first. To date, one has successfully won all three events in the men’s or women’s events.

The men’s side is led by defending Gold Cup Champion Melvin Twellaar of the Netherlands, who arrives in Camden as a newly crowned World Champion in the men’s double sculls. Twellaar will defend his Gold Cup title against an exceptional group of challengers, including Jonas Juel of Norway, Sam Melvin of the United States, and Victor Marcelot of France.

Gold Cup cultivates the next generation of athletes

The Gold Cup also creates new opportunities for the next generation of American rowers through the U.S. Lotman and U.S. Hoffman Challenges.

Open to eligible athletes through free registration, the U.S. Hoffman Challenge showcases the next generation of high school sculling talent, while the U.S. Lotman Challenge provides elite American athletes with an opportunity to compete on the Gold Cup stage.

Although the races are the most visible way the Gold Cup organization raises awareness of the sport of rowing, the nonprofit also opens doors to future generations of rowers through a granting program, in partnership with Head of the Charles (HOCR) in Boston, to support rowing programs in under-resourced communities. To date, Gold Cup and HOCR have granted $500,000 to expand access to rowing to more diverse groups of children, and support young athletes with mentoring and other educational services. Local Philadelphia area recipients include BLJ Community Rowing (Philadelphia, PA) and Brick City Rowing (Newark, NJ).

From Philadelphia’s deep rowing heritage, to Camden’s growing role as a stage for international competition, the 2026 Gold Cup will bring together champions and challengers to inspire young athletes and help promote American sculling.

2026 PHILADELPHIA GOLD CUP ATHLETES

MEN’S GOLD CUP

  • Defending Champion: Melvin Twellaar (NED) 2026 World Champion, Men’s Double Sculls
  • Challenger: Jonas Juel (NOR) 2026 World Championship Bronze Medalist, Men’s Single Sculls
  • Challenger: Sam Melvin (USA) 4th Place, 2026 World Championships, Men’s Single Sculls
  • Challenger: Victor Marcelot (FRA) 5th Place, 2026 World Championships, Men’s Single Sculls

WOMEN’S GOLD CUP

  • Defending Champion: Emma Twigg (NZL)
  • Challenger: Lauren Henry (GBR) 2026 World Champion, Women’s Single Sculls Sole contender for the $50,000 Gold Cup Triple Challenge
  • Challenger: Karolien Florijn (NED) Olympic Champion and 2026 World Championship Bronze Medalist, Women’s Single Sculls
  • Challenger: Lauren O’Connor (USA)