FISA backs NZ for 2010 World Rowing Championships

The Council of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) has selected Lake Karapiro, New Zealand as the host of the 2010 World Rowing Championships subject to final approval by the FISA Congress which convenes on 28 August in London, Great Britain. The alternative was another excellent bid for the famous Bosbaan rowing course in Amsterdam presented by the Royal Dutch Rowing Federation.

Matt Smith, FISA Executive Director stated “The New Zealand bid for Lake Karapiro is solid in all aspects and is enhanced by the New Zealand rowing team’s current run of international success. FISA recognises how important staging a world championship event is in a host nation where the general public strongly support its team and the sport.”

He added “This would be the first time a championship has been held in Oceania since the 1990 World Rowing Championships in Tasmania. FISA considers the “universality” of the sport as extremely important for the overall development of rowing and, therefore, seeks organisers for the World Rowing Championships in all parts of the world”.

In recognition of this attractive bid from their New Zealand colleagues, the Dutch Rowing Federation has decided to withdraw their candidacy and give their full support to New Zealand. Dutch Federation President Jan Karel Mak said, “we had a very strong bid ourselves, as FISA made clear to us, but we recognise the importance of having the World Rowing Championships outside of Europe once every four years, and it will be good to see them come to such an inspired and deserving country. We support universality of our sport and give our New Zealand friends our full backing“.

The FISA Council also made its selections for the 2009 Under 23 World Rowing Championships and the 2010 World Rowing Junior Championships and they selected the regatta course in Racice, near Prague in the Czech Republic for both. The Czech Rowing Federation is experiencing good international results again and this custom-build regatta course, owned and operated by the dynamic Czech Rowing Federation, is an excellent venue. El Salvador was up against the Czech Republic for the 2009 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

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