Record numbers for European Junior Champs

The rowing course of Bloso-Hazewinkel is well-known to many rowers from throughout the world as a training centre. It has also played host to a number of international rowing events including the 2002 World Rowing Cup I and the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

This year’s event has attracted 450 competitors from 31 nations making for record numbers. There is racing in 13 boat classes and the men’s double sculls is the most popular with 23 nations taking part. The next most popular is the women’s double sculls with 18 entries.

Last year Romania was the most successful nation coming away with seven gold medals. Romania, however, are sending a smaller team to Hazewinkel with boats in nine of the races. Italy was second in 2013 with two golds and they are the only nation to have entered a full 13-boat team this year.  

Belarus, who hosted the 2013 European Junior Champs in Minsk, has ten boats entered and may be the biggest potential challenge for Italy. Belarus finished third last year.

Athletes at the European Junior Championships must be 18 years of age or younger and racing will take place from 24-25 May 2014. During the regatta results will be available on worldrowing.com.

Local website: http://www.2014erjc.be/