FISA Council Proposes Linz-Ottensheim for 2019 World Rowing Championships

This means the FISA Council will now propose to the FISA Congress that the right and responsibility of the 2019 World Rowing Championships goes to the Austrian Rowing Federation and the regatta course in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria. The FISA Congress will meet following the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France on 7 September to decide on the proposal.

The 2019 World Rowing Championships bid process commenced in August 2014 when FISA received interest from four candidates; Hamburg (GER), Linz-Ottensheim (AUT), Racice (CZE) and Varese (ITA). 

Each of these federations was then sent an explanation of the bidding process, the rules of conduct and a detailed bid questionnaire. The technical requirements and possibilities for differentiation of the bids were explained and the bidders had an opportunity to ask questions at an individualised bid seminar for each candidate. During the subsequent months, each candidate was required to submit all necessary information and guarantees needed to enable FISA to examine and analyse their bid in detail and prepare for inspection visits in Spring 2015 and then prepare final bids.

Final bids were received from Hamburg (GER) and Linz-Ottensheim (AUT) on 31 May 2015. On 21 June, following the World Rowing Cup in Varese, the two candidates formally presented their final bids to the FISA Council. The standards of preparation and presentation by all candidates were very high and enabled the Council to form clear and informed opinions.

Major factors in the Council’s assessment
The major factors in the Council’s assessment of the bids are as follows:

Racing conditions and fairness:

The Council noted that this will be the Olympic and Paralympic Qualification event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and therefore racing conditions take a higher priority.

Both candidate venues have warm-up and cool-down areas outside of the racing lanes, although very close to the course in both cases. Both courses can provide a dedicated para-rowing training lane. Linz-Ottensheim will temporarily close the connection to the Danube during the event so that there will be no influence on the racing lake. Commentary and side-TV coverage can be made from an existing road in Linz-Ottensheim, thus reducing the number of motor boats on the lake.  In Hamburg there is no road and all commentary and TV coverage must be from motor boats.

Hamburg has stronger and more frequent wind compared to Linz-Ottensheim. The wind velocities at the Linz-Ottensheim regatta course are relatively low and the risk of adverse weather conditions is relatively less. 

Course installations:
Both venues currently have existing courses that meet FISA standards for this event. Both venues offer currently, or will offer, high quality installations and facilities. Both bids include significant government guaranteed infrastructure upgrades to the venue that will leave a strong legacy.

Financial support:
Both bids have solid financial support with a low proportion of the budget revenue allocated to unguaranteed sources, being mainly ticketing and sponsor income. Hamburg has a higher percentage of the operating budget guaranteed by government.

Organisational experience:
Hamburg and Linz-Ottensheim have successfully organised World Rowing events recently and retain many of the skills and resources from those events. Hamburg successfully organised the 2014 World Rowing Junior Championships and Linz-Ottensheim successfully organised the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

The Council’s Proposal to Congress
Having examined the detailed aspects of the bids submitted, and taking all relevant factors into account, both candidates would be able to stage excellent championships. However, the FISA Council has selected Linz-Ottensheim as the most suitable candidate and proposes to the Congress that the right and responsibility of hosting the 2019 World Rowing Championships be attributed to: The Austrian Rowing Federation and the regatta course in Linz-Ottensheim, Austria.

The Council would like to express its sincere appreciation for the highly professional work of both candidates and the excellent bid documents.