Rowing Under 23 Championships

Press Release - Rowing: 2009 World Rowing Under 23 Championships attracts record numbers

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16/07/2009

Participation is on the rise for the world's Under 23 rowers as over 830 athletes have confirmed participation in this month's World Rowing Under 23 Championships to take place in Racice, Czech Republic, from 23 to 26 July. In total, 56 nations have entered, making this the largest entry since the event took on World Championship status back in 2005.

Formerly known as the Nation's Cup and the Match des Séniors, this is the fifth year that this regatta for rowers up to 22 years of age has had "World Rowing Championship" status. It started in 1976 with 11 nations and 65 rowers participating. The event acts as a stepping stone for athletes on their way to the elite level, but who are still refining their skills.

Surprisingly, the highest number of entries comes in the men's lightweight single sculls where 31 athletes shall be in contention for the World Under 23 Champion title. In the women's single sculls 18 boats make up the highest entry for women's events. Germany and USA bring the biggest teams to Racice, although it's Germany, Italy and France who have the highest number of boats with 21 German crews and 15 Italian and French crews entered.

This year's Under 23 Championships sees the introduction of the lightweight women's quadruple sculls which was voted in during the Extraordinary Congress in Cape Town earlier this year. This new addition to the programme brings the total number of events to 21.

Croatia's young men's quad of David Sain, Damir Martina and brothers Martin and Valent Sinkovic created quite a stir at the Munich Rowing World Cup when they beat Olympic Champions and reigning World Champions, Poland. They have been racing together in the senior squad since early in the 2008 season and have made huge progress since their first appearance in Munich last spring.

Italy's reigning Under 23 Champions in the lightweight men's pair, Andrea Caianiello and Armando Dell'Aquila took gold in both Banyoles and Lucerne World Cups this year. They also achieved gold in last year's European Championships lightweight four and had a surprise silver medal at the 2007 World Rowing Championships. They shall be in contention for another under 23 title next week-end as they lead the field ahead of eight crews with mixed experience.

The World Rowing Under 23 Championships is often a first occasion for international competition for young athletes supported by FISA's Development Programme. This year will see Angola participating for the first time. Single sculler Matias de Albuquerque shall race in the lightweight men's single. His participation was strongly supported by the Portuguese Rowing Federation which facilitated a training camp with the Portuguese team earlier this year.

The World Rowing Under 23 Championships regatta in Racice, near Prague (CZE) begins on 23 July. The A Finals will be raced on Sunday 26 July.

The entries and the timetable are now available on the World Rowing U23 Championships page of www.worldrowing.com.

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