World Rowing Coastal Championships begin in Italy

17/10/2008

Crews from 16 nations have gathered in San Remo, Italy, to begin racing today at the 2008 World Rowing Coastal Championships for Clubs. Sunny weather and mild temperatures in the mid 20°C, and music on the beach are setting the tone for the qualification rounds to be held this afternoon from 14h15 to 17h00. Finals A and B will be raced tomorrow, Saturday, from 9h00 to 13h30.

The 485 athletes hailing from 110 clubs will race in four boat classes (the single, the double, the coxed quad and the coxed four) over a distance of eight kilometres. The course follows the shoreline and includes three buoy turns.
France has the largest number of entries (72 crews, 163 rowers) followed by Italy (43 crews, 158 rowers). Other participating nations include: Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

This World Rowing event was first held at championship level last year in the Gulf of Mandelieu La Napoule, near Cannes on the French Riviera and is unique as the tradition of competing for clubs, rather than countries, has been preserved. Coastal rowing boats, built for one, two and four (plus coxswain) rowers and with inbuilt self-bailing mechanisms, are designed to withstand rough water conditions. The boats are built much along the lines of surf lifesaving boats but with a sliding seat.

PROGRAMME

Friday 17 October
h. 14.15 1° Qualification CM4x+
h. 14.30 1° Qualification CM2x
h. 15.30 1° Qualification CM1x
h. 16.00 2° Qualification CM4x+
h. 16.45 2° Qualification CM2x
h. 17.00 2° Qualification CM1x

Saturday 18 October Final
h. 09.00 Final CW4x+
h. 09.15 Final CW2x
h. 10.15 Final CW1x
h. 10.45 Final CM4x+
h. 11.30 Final CM2x
h. 11.45 Final CM1x
h. 13.00 Final B CM4x
h. 13.15 Final B CM2x
h. 13.30 Final B CM1x