FISA visits 2010 rowing champs site

Delegates from the International Rowing Federation, FISA, have visited the site of the 2010 World Rowing Championships, Lake Karapiro, New Zealand.

Visiting from Switzerland was FISA Executive Director Matt Smith, Events Coordinator Colleen Orsmond and Events Director Svetla Otzetova. Otzetova remembers the venue as a rower when the World Rowing Championships were last held there in 1978. Although the course remains the same, there are many differences on the land surrounding the 2000m course.

With just 18 months to go the planning preparation is well under way. Structures are taking shape and the offices of the 2010 organising committee have recently taken occupancy in new premises at the just-completed Rowing New Zealand High Performance Centre.

Apart from semi-permanent structures that will be constructed just for the event, the venue is going to have a newly built permanent community centre near the finish line and at present the road leading to and around the venue is being widened to cater for busses which will provide transport for all involved in the championships.

Chief Executive Officer Tom Mayo heads the organising committee and has recently been joined by six other staff. This will grow in numbers nearer to the event.

The 2010 World Rowing Championships are to be held later in the year than is standard to guarantee better weather. They will run from 31 October until 7 November.

The Karapiro 2010 project received a further boost. The first ever IOC (International Olympic Committee) Sport and Environment Award for the Oceania region has gone to Rowing New Zealand for their environmental plans for the 2010 World Rowing Championships. The “Rainbow Project” is aimed at hosting an environmentally sustainable event. The project plans to work towards a reduction in carbon emissions, zero waste, environmental protection for all permanent and temporary infrastructure and an environmental officer who will be part of the organising committee.
 
The award winners were announced at the World Conference on Sport and Environment, held in Vancouver, Canada.

The IOC award is given to each of the five regions of the world and Karapiro 2010 was the only rowing venue to receive an award. 

The World Rowing team values feedback.