FISA Presents Mercedes-Benz World Rowing Sprints

The International Rowing Federation (FISA) is proud to be joined by Mercedes-Benz UK in presenting the first ever Mercedes-Benz World Rowing Sprints to be held on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, London on Saturday 5 October, 2002.

The Sprints will introduce a new and exciting 500 metre race format which brings some of the world’s elite rowers to the city centres. Spectators will be able to experience the exhilarating atmosphere and enjoy an afternoon of top quality racing as the world’s best rowers sprint down the Serpentine Lake in the heart of London.

”We are thrilled to have Mercedes-Benz with us in introducing this interesting sprint format to our sport and we are most grateful for their support.” said FISA Executive Director Matt Smith. “We expect gripping races and are especially pleased that the lake for this sensational event is located in the centre of one of the world’s most alluring cities. We are committed to build this into a long-running and internationally-staged series in the FISA calendar.”

Dermot Kelly, Director Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars said:  “We are proud to support the Mercedes-Benz World Rowing Sprints, which will open up an exciting sport to a wider audience.  The world’s top rowers will be participating, so it promises to be a spectacular event.”

For this year’s Sprints, four teams will compete, each comprising 13 rowers – five women, seven men and a coxswain. The concept is for each of the rowers to race in two events. First in their “small boat” (pair or four, single or double sculls) and then to combine into the two “large boats” (eight and quadruple sculls). Participation by Great Britain, the United States and Germany is confirmed and the fourth team will be announced shortly.

The unique feature of this concept is that the eight and the quadruple sculls would be raced by mixed crews made up of men and women. The eight will be made up of the men’s four, the men’s pair and the women’s pair. The quadruple sculls will consist of rowers from the women’s double sculls, the women’s single sculls and the men’s single sculls. A team will be crowned the Mercedes-Benz Sprints Champion, based on the results of the races.

The event will be televised live by the European sports channel Eurosport.

Hyde Park, the largest Royal Park in the City of London, has been open to the public since 1635. The Serpentine Lake, so named due to its shape, runs through the heart of the beautiful 340 acre (640 hectares) Park.

For additional information contact Matt Smith or Kathleen Di Giacomo at FISA headquarters on +41.21.617.83.73 or by e-mail kathleen.digiacomo@fisa.org