FISA Representatives Follow Progress for Junior World Championships

FISA representatives, including Executive Director Matt Smith, returned Saturday from a three-day visit to Vilnius and Trakai, Lithuania to check on the progress of the preparations for the 2002 World Rowing Junior Championships.

Smith indicated that the preparations were advancing nicely “We were very pleased with the progress that we noted” he said “They have purchased a new starting bridge and will purchase new umpire catamarans. The famous Trakai Rowing Centre has been gutted and is being completely renovated and renovations will also be made to the finish tower”.

Organising Committee representatives Arturas Junka and Algirdas Raslanas confirmed that the entire road system of Trakai will be resurfaced, from the main highway into the rowing centre and that they are carefully studying the shuttle transport system from the hotels to the rowing centre to create an efficient system.

The FISA team, which included Svetla Otzetova, Johan Blondelle and Sheila Stephens also met with the Honourable Valdas Adamkus, President of the Lithuanian Republic and honorary Chairman of the Championships who confirmed the government’s support for the event.

The 2002 World Junior Rowing Championships will be held from August 6 to 9 in Trakai, Lithuania.