100 days until the World Rowing Championships

As the 2006 international racing season draws closer,  the light at the other end of the tunnel, the 2006 World Rowing Championships, is only 100 days away and in Eton, Great Britain four years of planning is coming together for the top rowing event of 2006.

Held on Dorney Lake the World Rowing Championship venue got a trial run last year when they hosted the Rowing World Cup. This time the championships will give spectators and athletes an intimate look at the 2012 Olympic rowing venue.

Ticket sales are well under way and more than 1,000 tickets have already been sold. New initiatives like the Adopt-A-Nation scheme will see hundreds of local school children “adopting” a rowing country by following their progress, learning about the country and supporting them at the championships.

Also planned is a reunion for past Olympic, European and World Champion rowers. A reception will be held for these medallists, no matter how long ago, and organisers are encouraging whole crews to come together again.  

There has been a 20 year gap since Great Britain last hosted a full World Championships and in that time British rowing has grown in strength with current athletes like Andy Hodge, Peter Reed, Steve Williams, Alex Partridge, Katherine Grainger, Fran Houghton, Sarah Winckless and Debbie Flood leading the current success.

Also in that time Sir Steve Redgrave became a five-time Olympic gold medallist, Sir Matthew Pinsent earned four Olympic gold medals, men’s head coach Jürgen Grobler was honoured with an OBE from the Queen of Great Britain and, just recently, Sir Steve and Sir Matthew opened a new rowing centre in Caversham. The £13 million Redgrave-Pinsent Lake now houses a world class training venue which will target Olympic rowers of the future. It is part of Great Britain’s sporting push towards the 2012 London Olympics.

The World Rowing Championships will start with the official opening ceremony on 19 August at 7.30pm and racing begins with heats on 20 August. Large screens on each side of the course will liven up race viewing and a family area will feature children’s entertainment.

More information is available on the official website: www.wrc2006.com

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