2019 FISA International Para Rowing Regatta - Gavirate

26 Nations, 89 crews: these are the numbers of the 13° edition of the International Para Rowing Regatta which took place in Gavirate (Italy) from 17 to 19 May 2019.

Gavirate is a small town in the center of the so called “Lakes district” of north Italy, which includes Varese lake where, in the past years, several FISA events took place and where, next year, World Cup 2 will take place. Gavirate is on the same lake not far from Varese and has a proper course which hosts usually National and Regional Events.

Gavirate rowing club is the main organizer of the regatta with the strong support of the local Authorities and with the collaboration with AIS (Australian Institue of Sport) which has a beautiful center just close to Canottieri.

The International para Rowing Regatta had the usual format of “2 days Regatta”: Friday heats for Saturday finals and Saturday afternoon heats for Sunday finals.

During the same week, in the days before the regatta, the 5° FISA consecutive Development Camp dedicated to Para rowing was held at Gavirate. This year participant in the camp included athletes from LBA, KEN, PAR, SUD, and UGA.

FIC (Italian Rowing Federation) wanted to increase the participation in the regatta and included races of different categories, from young rowers (12-13 years old) to Masters the 3 days of rowing competition. This created a huge and intense program (more than 1500 athletes) with an alternation of different specialties.  With the exception of the Para Rowing races, races were started every 3 minutes.

Unfortunately the weather was not so friendly and the President of the Jury had to shorten before and then cancel some races of the younger categories due to safety reasons. There was no problem for the Para Rowing program concluded on time on Saturday and Sunday as well.

Among ITA international and national umpires, the Jury includes even NED, GBR and SUI ITO colleagues whose presence is part of the exchange program that Italy has with some European nations.