Indoor rowing speed sees more world records fall

In the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, World Rowing reported a staggering 131 new indoor world records. As the pandemic continued and lockdowns stayed in place around the world – that number has continued to grow to a staggering 477.

The majority of new records have been set in the less-common categories (like those outside of the 2000m distance) while the most sought-after titles have remained steadfast.

In March, junior rower Isaiah Harrison from the United States set out to claim all records in his age class of 15-16. He had them all – from 500m to the marathon distance – until Gabriel Obholzer stripped him of the 6000m record just last month. Harrison managed to claim the victory over Obholzer at the World Rowing Indoor Championships by just over a second, finishing in a blistering 5:52.6 for 2000m.  

Phil Clapp of Great Britain beat his own record at the 500m distance to secure a time of 1:10.5. Clapp attempted to beat this time again at the indoor championships, but was one second shy.

The 500m distance has been a favorite among all age categories. Jan Otto Kristiansen of Norway set a new 500m record in the 80-89 age category at a swift 1:37.3.

Athletes have also been busy chipping away at the long-distance categories. The 60-minute category, for example, has seen 16 new records since lockdown began. Canadian rower Kai Langerfeld set a new record in the men’s age 30-39 category (completing 18602m) and Italian lightweight single sculler Martino Goretti stamped his mark on the ‘hour-of-power’ (17498m).

A few brave souls have dared to take on the marathon records – rowing a distance of 42,195 metres. Georgina Rowe of Australia set a new record in the women’s openweight 19-29 category (in 2:44.27), while Sofia Meakin of Switzerland toppled the record in the lightweight age 19-29 (2:50.15). Young and old alike took to racing as Clara Dremiere of France set a new record for 12 and under (3:41.21), while Vince Home of Australia claimed the best time in the 90-99 category at age 94 (4:32.57).

But the blue riband 2000m events have held their ground. No one has come close to touching Olena Buryak (UKR) or Joshua Dunkley-Smith’s (AUS) records. Most top athletes are busy training for the upcoming season. One notable exception was Birgit Skarstein’s new record in the PR1 women’s category, set at the World Rowing Indoor Championships. Skarstein now holds the on-water and off-water records in her boat class.

With the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Sprints going on at present and until 14 March, indoor rowers are surely set to take to the machines and attempt more record-breaking times. For more information about the virtual sprints, click here: https://worldrowing.com/event/2021-world-rowing-virtual-indoor-sprints