British Para-rower Frankie Allen on staying ahead of rivals: “A Privilege”

British Para-rower Frankie Allen is gearing up for the challenge of maintaining her team’s unbeaten record at the European Championships in Szeged, Hungary this week. Allen, who is part of the mixed coxed four (PR3x) team, has been dominating the class at major championships since 2011.

Despite the pressure of staying ahead of their rivals, Allen sees it as a privilege and a good thing. She credits the team’s constant drive to push themselves and set new targets as the key to their success. The 21-year-old, who is also studying physiotherapy at Oxford Brookes University, started her rowing career at school before realizing her eligibility for Para-rowing in 2022.

The team has faced challenges, including cox Erin Kennedy’s battle with breast cancer in 2022. Kennedy’s journey has strengthened the team bonds as they aim for a fourth consecutive Paralympic title for Great Britain in Paris. The team for Hungary includes one change from last year’s European gold-winning team, with Josh O’Brien joining the crew.

Despite the annual changes in personnel, Allen remains optimistic and focused on making the team combination go as fast as possible. She emphasizes the importance of consistency and preparation in training to ensure a seamless transition for new team members like O’Brien.

Reflecting on her journey, Allen expresses her surprise at her current position and dreams of making it to Paris for the Paralympics. With a strong team bond and a relentless drive for success, Allen and her crew are ready to take on the competition at the European Championships and beyond.