O for ‘Oarsome’

TE AWAMUTU COLLEGE girls’ eight competing in Te Awamutu Rowing Club Regatta at Lake Ngaroto. Having the 2010 World Rowing Championships staged nearby at Lake Karapiro provides extra incentive for local rowers and the possibility Lake Ngaroto will have a role to play as a training venue. See article on what it will mean to the local rowing fraternity, page 6. File photo

By Grant Johnston

Teamwork is vital for success in most rowing events and was the key ingredient in the successful World Rowing Championships bid cooked up by Rowing New Zealand.

The bid to host the 2010 World Champs at Lake Karapiro had ‘everyone on board’ - from rowing’s administrators and greats, to central and local government and corporate sponsors.

The Olympic champion Evers-Swindell twins helped to present the bid as Rowing New Zealand ambassadors in Switzerland. And no stone was left unturned by Rowing New Zealand CEO, Craig Ross and chairman, Bill Falconer in ensuring that what needed to be put in place to win the hosting rights would be done. Chairman of the organising committee for the 1978 World Championships at Karapiro, Don Rowlands, was bid patron.

Lake Karapiro has yet to be confirmed for 2010, but after being announced last Thursday by FISA as the preferred venue, it is considered a formality that the decision will be ratified at the World Rowing Congress on August 28 in London.

As to the reasons why the FISA pendulum swung the Rowing NZ way, executive director Matt Smith explained: “We have a lot of confidence in the administration of Rowing New Zealand and have had for a long time. We were particularly impressed with their ability to gather the resources, Government and (local) authorities together, which were a big plus for this bid.”

Waipa District has won praise for its willingness to provide support for the bid. Waipa’s monetary support includes planned upgrades to roading and other infrastructure. The Council already had a $5 Million Lake Karapiro Management Plan in its 10-year Plan and committed an extra $300,000 for provision of grandstand seating for spectator viewing. This seating is portable and can be used at events at other venues in the district.

The management plan is aimed at catering for the public on the whole Karapiro Domain and includes roading, toilets, walkways etc.

Waipa also helped to host the FISA delegates when they visited the region to check out the venue and supporting facilities. Waipa Mayor Alan Livingston rated the successful bid as one of the highlights of his five year Mayoralty.

“It is fantastic to have another world championship event at Karapiro, following on from the World Waka Ama Championships in March and World Hydroplane Championships. Karapiro is certainly establishing itself on the international scene.”

Mr Livingston says the fact Council was well advanced in the regulatory and consultation processes for upgrades at Karapiro was an important aspect of the bid.

Still on the high of winning four world championships in 2005, rowing has a profile of success that is not enjoyed by any other Olympic sport in New Zealand, and Thursday’s announcement looks to continue this fine record. The relationship with Sky TV will be important as it ensures coverage and exposure of rowing to the general sporting public, in the buildup to the Worlds. There will be hundreds of rowers from an estimated 50 countries participating and more than 7000 visitors are expected.

Overall benefit to the New Zealand economy from hosting the World Championships has been estimated at $100 Million. There is $1.1 Million budgeted for gate takings, which caused raised eyebrows at FISA as attendance at such regattas in Europe is relatively low. However, the worlds in Japan attracted a total gate of 100,000 and 30,000 fans on the final day. Ticket prices are expected to be set at $110 for the final.