PRESS RELEASE: World Rowing’s 2012 Masters Regatta launches in Duisburg, Germany

The large number of entries means that 449 races are currently scheduled and this number will increase when the mixed gender races (boatswhich include an equal number of males and females) are finalised. Germany has sent the largest number of participants (over 1,000) but the biggest club entry comes from Russia. Moscow’s Dynamo rowing club is sending 103 rowers.

Each boat entered automatically contributes to FISA's youth rowing development programme. This programme targets youth rowing development opportunities in the developing world.

A rower may compete as a Masters rower from the beginning of the year during which he or she turns 27. Masters rowers are placed in age categories A through to J; category A being an average of 27 years or over, and J being an average of 80 years or over. In Duisburg, the average age of men competing is 53.9, while the average age for women is 48.6.

All boat classes are catered for and the men’s single sculls have proven to be the most popular event with a total of 736 entries. The men’s E category for 55 to 59 year olds attracted the largest number of single scullers with 157 boats entered.

The oldest entry is regular competitor Charles Eugster, 93, of Switzerland. The oldest woman is Russia’s Galina Vecherkoskaia, 86 years old. Vecherkoskaia competed internationally in the 1950s and early 1960s but then stopped rowing to focus on other sports. She then took up rowing again about four years ago and is back competing. Eugster rowed at high school then picked it up again in his early 60s. He has rowed on and off since then. This year Eugster is entered in five races.

After retiring from international competition three years ago, the great Czech sculler and 1992 Olympic medallist Vaclav Chalupa, 44, is back racing. He will be part of a men’s quadruple sculls for his local club. Gold medallist from the 1960 Olympic Games, Klaus Riekemann, 72, of Germany is another Olympian competing in Duisburg.

At the World Rowing Masters Regatta there are no finals, only heats, with the winning boat in each heat receiving a medal. The regatta will feature cultural entertainment every evening on a plaza next to the regatta course and the highlight will be the Masters party on Saturday evening.

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