University rowers ready to race in Gravelines

Nearly 350 university rowers from 34 countries are attending which is the biggest turnout ever seen at the University Rowing Championships. Participants come from around the world including Brazil, China, Germany, South Africa and Australia.

Racing will take place in 13 boat classes and the lightweight men’s single sculls has attracted the biggest field with entries from 17 nations. Also very popular is the lightweight men’s double sculls and the men’s and women’s single sculls.

Organised by FISU, the International Federation for University Sports, the World University Rowing Championships are held every second year (in even numbered years) and they are one of a series of university championships that cover 24 sports. The championships alternate with FISU’s Summer Universiades. The last Universiade was held in Kazan, Russia in 2013 and rowing was included for the first time since 1993.

In his opening speech FISU President, Claude-Louis Gallien described the aim of FISU. “FISU actively supports those events and endeavours to satisfy students’ creativity and aspirations by regularly promoting innovative sports disciplines. The aim is to retain the spirit of play and encourage the development of an open and curious mind among university athletes.”

To enter this regatta rowers must be university student-athletes between the ages of 17-28 that have not been out of university, or its equivalent, for more than one year.

The World Rowing website will keep up to date with results and stories from the racing at the World University Rowing Championships.

Provisional Programme

Friday, September 12
9:00am  to 4:00pm – heats, repechages

Saturday, September 13
10:00am to 4:00pm – repechages, semifinals, C-finals

Sunday, September 14
10:00am to 12:00pm  – B-finals
2:30pm to 5:30pm – A-finals