World Rowing Under 23 Championships Head to United States for 2019

The venue for the 2019 World Rowing Under 23 Championships has been confirmed as Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, United States.

The Sarasota-Bradenton regatta course is fast becoming a regular stop-over for the international rowing circuit. Last year, it hosted the World Rowing Championships; and in 2018, it will host the World Rowing Masters Regatta in September.

“We are ecstatic at the opportunity to welcome World Rowing back to the Sarasota-Bradenton community for the third time in three years,” said Virginia Haley, President of Visit Sarasota County.

For 2019, Sarasota-Bradenton will welcome the best under-23 rowers from around the world for the regatta. The proposed dates for the championships are 24-28 July.

“We are pleased to be returning to Sarasota-Bradenton for a World Championship event, especially for the Under 23 event, which has particular relevance for the strong collegiate rowing community in the United States. We’re also very grateful for the continued support from Sarasota and Manatee counties for World Rowing events, and appreciate the partnership that the sport of rowing has with them”, said FISA President Jean-Christophe Rolland. 

The World Rowing Under 23 Championships showcases the up-and-coming rowers who are stepping up to be on their country’s senior team. The regatta is over four decades old; formerly known as the Nation’s Cup, it became a championship event in 2005. The regatta has 22 boat classes, 11 for men and 11 for women, and includes some of the traditional rowing boat classes like the men’s and women’s coxed four.

“USRowing is thrilled to have another World Rowing championship event back on U.S. soil at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota-Bradenton,” said USRowing CEO Patrick McNerney. “Hosting the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in the United States is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our top college-aged athletes on an international stage and to strengthen the link between the great history and competitiveness of collegiate rowing in the U.S. and world of international rowing.”

The regatta course at Sarasota-Bradenton is situated in the 600-acre Nathan Benderson Park. The area was purpose-designed as an international regatta course and includes a separate warm-up area, as well as eight racing lanes. The park is a multi-use sports venue and has been used for international triathlon racing, as well sailboat and dragon boat racing. Earlier this summer, the venue hosted the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, the United States’ university championship.  

“We are proud of the events that Nathan Benderson Park has hosted over the past four years and are proud to serve with USRowing as the local organizing committee for yet another World Rowing event,” said Stephen V. Rodriguez SANCA President & CEO.

This year’s World Rowing Under 23 Championships will be held in Poznan, Poland, from 25-29 July.