Zdena Norkova reflects on her decades-long involvement in masters rowing

As we celebrate the return of the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Libourne, France, World Rowing spoke to one of our most experienced colleagues, Zdena Norkova, as she prepares to retire from the Masters Rowing Commission.

Zdena Norkova, then known as Zdena Ticha, has a distinguished rowing record, representing Czechoslovakia with her sister Oldriska Pekna at the highest level, including competing at the 1974 and 1975 World Rowing Championships before earning a place at the 1976 Montreal Olympics in the coxless pair. After leaving elite rowing to tend to a growing family, she continued in the sport as a masters rower. Since then, she has competed in over thirty World Rowing Masters regattas!

‘I cannot remember how many medals I have won’, chuckles Norkova modestly, as she thinks back on her impressive competitive tally, ‘I love masters rowing; it’s very different to elite professional rowing.’ She expresses how the atmosphere is different, ‘you don’t need to train, but you want to. It is a more social setting.’ Norkova also enjoyed the range of different regattas over the years and was coy when asked if she had a favourite, ‘they are all fantastic, I have seen so many different race courses, each one has a special character.’

Norkova is also notable for having served diligently in the sport of rowing, having been part of the Masters Commission for two decades, with a particular focus on race schedules and working on the draw, no small feat given the multitude of different racing categories. She broke a relieved smile about retiring, saying, ‘I was very happy to be a member of the Commission, but now I look forward to focusing more on the actual rowing! Twenty years is a long time, and I hope during that time, I have passed on my experience to the other members of the Commission. I wish them good luck in the future. I will follow them closely.’

Rest assured, though, Norkova has no intention of stopping rowing and will remain on hand to provide wisdom. ‘I will continue to see my fellow rowers at regattas and in my life, but I also look forward to a bit of calm,’ she laughs.

World Rowing thanks Zdena Norkova for her contribution to our sport and wishes everyone the best of luck in the 2022 World Rowing Masters Regatta.