World Rowing: Coastal rowing for the tough
If you’re in the vicinity of Plymouth this weekend why not take a trip to see some rowing done by the men and women who like to tackle the wind and waves in this more extreme version of the sport.
The racing starts with heats on Friday 23 October and finishes on Sunday 25 October.
From World Rowing (posted 22/10/2009) where you can read the complete article:
‘Rowers from the usual hotbeds of coastal rowing, France, Italy and Great Britain will face a mixture of newcomers to the sport like United Arab Emirates and Ukraine as well as regular contestants from Ireland and as far away as New Zealand.
All eyes will be on the women’s coxed quad. A crew from Great Britain’s Thames Rowing Club, that is full of former elite flat water rowers, will take on the current champions in this event. Olympic silver medallists, sisters Guin and Miriam Batten are joining together with current Great Britain squad member Elise Laverick and German Olympian Lenka Wech. They will go up against reigning title holders in this event, the Swiss crew from Lausanne Sports Aviron Club. The Lausanne crew includes Olympian Colleen Orsmond who is back with last year’s winning crew of Bettina Schaefli, Fanny Mossiere, Gael Pannatier and coxswain Diego Larrain.
Former World Champion in the double, Hungary’s Akos Haller is competing in the men’s double with partner Zsolt Erdelyi who is a former Hungarian national team member.
There are also races in singles and coxed fours. This year the distance is 8km around a four buoyed course. Race organiser Jeff Hammond says there will be good spectator watching. “Spectators will be able to watch the whole of the race from the famous Plymouth Hoe which overlooks Plymouth Sound where the event takes place,” says Hammond. “Also, spectators can use the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club which has a beautiful lounge and balcony that overlooks the course and finish line.”
For information about the timetable and entries go to: http://www.worldoffshorerowingchampionships2009.com’
