07 Dec 2011
2002 Zurich Rowing World Cup - Hazewinkel Information
Mechelen near Hazewinkel
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To rowers the name Hazewinkel in Belgium, is well known, yet to most people the two cities nearby are more recognised. Hazewinkel is the home of the Bloso Sports Centre, and lies in between Antwerp and Brussels ? 20 kilometres in either direction.
The centre has already hosted a number of international rowing events including the 1985 FISA World Rowing Championships and the World Junior Championships in 1997 as well as World Cup events in 1998 and 1999. Every year the centre also hosts a variety of national teams from as far away as New Zealand and Australia and this year Oxford University chose Hazewinkel as their training venue for their lead up to the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
Johan Blondelle, the centre’s director, has been at Bloso since its inception in 1978 and was one of the driving forces to set up this venue as a place for high-level training and sports camps in rowing and other water sports. ?This is not a recreation centre,? says Blondelle, ?this is for international competition and training.?
For the upcoming Zurich Rowing World Cup participants can expect temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius and no rain, but some humidity. The days are long, staying light from 05:00 until 22:00.
Brush up on the local language, Flemish, especially if you plan to do some sightseeing. One hour away is Bruges, which is the 2002 Cultural Capital of Europe. Or for attractions closer to Hazewinkel, visit Mechelen, one of Belgium’s original cities, with buildings dating back to the 14th and 16th century and numerous museums.
The local community fully supports the upcoming World Cup. Hazewinkel is planning a family walking day on Saturday and local school children have entered hundreds of drawings about rowing in a competition. The winner will be announced at the regatta.
Rowers from the Belgian National Team will be able to enjoy the home crowd with a grandstand for 500 people at the finish line and Blondelle is confident of some good local results especially in the men’s double and men’s lightweight double.
Blondelle continues to work on developments at the centre and future plans include the addition of a sports hall and sports hotel over the next five years. He would also like to see Belgium bid for the World Junior and Under 23 Championships again.
World Cup racing starts Saturday at 09:00 (CET) and A-finals will be raced Sunday 16 June from 10:50 until 16:15.