Another high turnout for the 2007 World Rowing Under 23
Championships
A total of 52 nations, represented by 749 young competitors,
will compete at the 2007 World Rowing Under 23 Championships
to be held in Strathclyde, Scotland from 26 to 29 July.
Formerly known as the Nation's Cup and the Match des Séniors,
this is the third year that this regatta for rowers up to
22 years of age has had “World Rowing Championship”
status. It started in 1976 with 11 nations and 65 rowers participating.
The event acts as a stepping stone for athletes on their way
to the elite level, but who are still refining their skills.
After years in the 1980s of 20 nations and the 1990s of approximately
30 nations entering this event, now an entry of more than
50 nations participating is an expectation.
The highest number of entries (24) comes in the men’s
single sculls. This is closely followed by the lightweight
men’s single with 23 boats competing. Among the women’s
events, the most contested will be the lightweight single
sculls with 18 entries, closely followed by the lightweight
women’s doubles with 17 entries.
As per tradition, Germany brings the highest number of boats
to this regatta. With 20 crews entered, totalling 63 athletes,
the depth of Germany’s rowing programme is reflected
in these numbers. Behind Germany comes Italy with 15 boats
and then France and Great Britain with 12 boats each. From
far afield, Australia will participate in 10 boats, the United
States with 10 and New Zealand with seven boats.
At last year’s event, Germany came out at the top of
the medals table with a total count of five, including three
gold medals.
Many young athletes have been on their countries’ World
Cup squads this season, and several have already proven great
talent. This is the case for Storm Uru, New Zealand’s
new lightweight talent. Uru was U23 champion last year and
has now had a very successful run in the Rowing World Cup
series. The 22-year-old achieved two silver medals in the
earlier part of the season among his senior counterparts in
Amsterdam and in Lucerne.
The World Rowing Under 23 Championships is often a first
occasion for international competition for young athletes
supported by FISA’s Development Programme. This year
will see a first time participation for Nigeria and Sudan
– a “significant advance for African rowing”
according to FISA’s Development Director Thor Nilsen.
The World Rowing Under 23 Championships regatta in Strathclyde
(near Glasgow) begins on 26 July. The A Finals will be raced
on Sunday 29 July.
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