Record entries for the 2006 World Rowing Championships
The 2006 international rowing season reaches it's peak next
week when all eyes turn to the 2006 World Rowing Championships
in Eton, Great Britain from 20 to 27 August. A record number
of 64 nations have entered this year's event, the highest
number ever to take part in the World Rowing Championships.
The number of athletes taking part in these championships
is over 1'000 and represents a staggering 28% increase from
last year's participation. Nations will compete in a total
of 400 boats in 27 boat classes (including 4 adaptive rowing
events for rowers with a disability).
The highest number of entries comes in the Lightweight men's
double where 30 crews will line up for Monday's heats. There
are also high entries in the men's singles (25 boats) and
the men's double sculls (26 entries) and a very good entry
for the men's eight with 16 crews. 2006 Rowing World Cup winners
Germany travel to Great Britain with a team of 80 athletes.
North American representation is also huge with an 84-athlete
strong team for USA and 63 rowers from Canada.
Adaptive rowing is also highly represented at this year's
event with 41 crews entered in all four events. This represents
over double the number of entries from the 2004 figures, and
promises a great improvement in the depth of competition in
the run towards the first Paralympic Rowing Regatta in 2008
in Beijing.
"We are delighted to see the increasing participation
in our events over the past ten years. This year's entries
are the highest they have ever been, and also include 20 nations
supported by the FISA Development Programme which is very
encouraging" said FISA President Denis Oswald.
The 2006 World Rowing Championships get off to a flying start
with a fully staged Opening Ceremony on Saturday 19 August
at 7:30 pm (UK Time) including a big firework display to send
off the event at 9:15 pm. Racing begins on Sunday 20 August
at 9:30 hrs UK Time with A Group heats.
Semi-finals and A Finals will be broadcast on several channels
world-wide including BBC (Great Britain), RAI (Italy), RTR
(Russia), NOS (The Netherlands), Hungarian TV, ZDF/ARD (Germany),
Slovenia, Estonia as well as Sky New Zealand, Fox Australia,
WCSN United States and CBC Canada. See local TV listings for
details. Eurosport will broadcast the full transmission live
on Thursday 24 August from 12:00 to 15:30 CET, Friday 25 August
from 12:00 to 14:00 CET, Saturday 26 August from 12:00 to
15:00 CET and Sunday 27 August from 13:00 to 16:30 CET.
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