Under 23 Regatta Goes to Poznan

Poznan's start – waiting in anticipation
© FISA

Earlier this year the Malta regatta course in Poznan, Poland got the 2004 international season going with the first 2004 BearingPoint Rowing World Cup regatta and starting 6 August Poznan will again welcome elite rowers for the World Rowing Under 23 Regatta.

Nearly 600 athletes from 45 nations have been arriving in Poznan over the last week in preparation for racing in the event. This regatta is the stepping stone for athletes on their way to elite status who are too old to compete at the junior level but are still in need of further development to rank among top elite rowers. Many of these athletes will become the stars of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The largest number of entries is in the men's single scull with 26 countries competing. At the top of the list is Hui Fung Law of Hong Kong who is using this regatta as a lead-up to Olympic competition later this month in Athens. Law will be up against Australia's Mitchell Punch who medaled at the Under 23 Regatta in 2002 and tasted World Championship racing last year in Milan.

Winner of the first World Cup, local rower Julia Michalska will compete again in front of her home crowd when she takes on Junior World Champion, Sally Kehoe of Australia. They will also face Germany's Magdalena Schmude who is part of the 56-strong German team that makes up the biggest one-country contingent competing at the regatta.

The Malta Regatta Course dates back to 1952 and is one of the oldest man-made rowing venues in Europe. Situated on Lake Malta it is the result of the damming of the Cybina River and along the shores of the lake recreation areas have been developed. An artificial ski slope is open throughout the year for Poznan?s 700,000 residents and stands in contrast to summer-time lake swimming.

This is the first year that the Under 23 Regatta will race under the FISA flag. Formerly known as the Nation's Cup this event has been going for nearly 30 years.

Racing starts on 6 August with the heats and finals will be raced on 8 August.

Live scoring, race updates and results will be available throughout the regatta on this web site. A full list of entries is available as a downloadable PDF file from the events section of this web site.

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