'Lake of the Gods' Welcomes Top Rowers

For the fourth time in its history, the 2001 FISA World Rowing Championships will be hosted by the beautiful city of Lucerne on the scenic Lake Rotsee.

Lucerne’s rowing history makes it the ideal place for holding an event of such proportions.
As early as 1883, Lucerne – known also as the City of Lights – held it’s first regatta on Lake Lucerne.

By 1933 the Rotsee, on the southern boundaries of the city had become the new rowing site. In 1962, it hosted the first ever World Championships, then only open to men, and went on host the first World Championships to include women, in 1974.

Known to many rowers as “The Lake of the Gods,” the Rotsee is 2400 metres long and its width is ideal for a rowing course. The Lake is virtually current free and is protected from the wind on both sides by a line of scenic hills.

All this combines to make a very fast course, which has contributed in setting world best times in the past. Some of the records set at the Rowing World Cup in 1999 still stand, such as the men’s coxless four of 5:46.12 by Norway, and the men’s lightweight four at 5:45.60 set by Denmark.

Because of the cities historical bond with the sport, the people of Lucerne are great rowing enthusiasts and events held there attract hordes of fervent crowds much appreciated by the rowers.

Rowing apart, Lucerne is one of Switzerland’s liveliest cities. Visitors can enjoy a full range of activities, from excellent shopping, to beautiful sightseeing and many museums, art galleries, concerts and plays.

The architecture of the city is a well-balanced blend of modern and traditional, and the 60,000 inhabitants of the city enjoy life in a picture perfect environment where rolling hills, and typical Swiss country villages converge with the Alpine sceneries of Mount Pilatus and the historical Rigi nearby.

You cannot visit Lucerne without a visit of the world famous wooden Chapel Bridge, one of the landmarks of the city. Also, the Transport museum is well worth the detour, and will particularly delight the younger visitors.

The 2001 FISA World Rowing Championships will see the representatives of 49 nations compete in 24 boat classes. For those who cannot come along to encourage the 946 athletes on site, worldrowing.com will feature live results on the Race Tracker plus all the news, from the heats on Sunday 19 August through to finals
on 25 and 26 August.

For more details plus a full entry list and provisional racing timetable see the Events section of the site.