200 days until the 2009 World Rowing Championships

Poznan’s Malta Regatta Course is becoming familiar to international rowers having hosted the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta and Rowing World Cup in 2008, the first edition of the European Rowing Championships in 2007 as well as international junior and under 23 events.
The success of the Polish men’s quad at the Olympic Games and preceding World Championships has heightened the interest in rowing in Poland. The surprise Olympic medal to the lightweight men’s four has further increased rowing interest in the country and Poznan Organising Committee member Pawel Daniel is expecting large spectator crowds of up to 7000 people.

“For Poznan the World Rowing Championships is the biggest event in 2009,” says Daniel. “The interest in the regatta is growing, especially as people are really eager to see the Polish Olympic men’s quad racing in Poznan to uphold their position in the world. Our sculler Julia Michalska (sixth at Beijing) will also be trying to show her best in her hometown.”

Daniel says that, compared to previous events, participants will see improvements in the athletes’ area. “We are building new grandstands for them as well as more places for boat racks.”

At present the Malta Regatta Course is hard to recognise as every four years the water is lowered and the sediment in the lake removed. This helps keep the water clean and, Daniel says, it is also a chance to keep equal depths throughout the course.

“The whole lake will be very much alive with the Championships come August and the prepared attractions will be unforgettable,” says Daniel who adds that the opening ceremony will be one of the main attractions of the Championships.

The 2009 World Rowing Championships go from 23 to 30 August.

World Rowing Championships website: www.rowing.poznan.pl