Record breaking participation at Bled International Regatta

Lake Bled hosted another traditional International Regatta between 11-13 June 2021, the 2021 Bled International Regatta, in Slovenia.

This was one of the first international regattas, following the many cancellations of 2020, outside of the World Rowing events and it attracted record breaking 589 athletes from 90 National Teams or Clubs of 14 nations.

The countries included; Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey and Slovenia.

Hungary came with the largest team, followed by Austria, Switzerland and Dutch University rowing clubs. The men’s single sculls was won by Slovenia’s Filip-Matej Pfeifer on both racing days. This set him up well as he prepares for the World Rowing Under 23 Championships to be held in July in Racice, Czech Republic. Juliane Faralisch from Frankfurt, Germany, won the women’s single on Saturday and Katarina Lobnik from Völkermarkt, Austria, came first on Sunday.

The men’s eight had ten crews taking part and it was the Austrian National team that won on both days. The women’s field was a bit smaller with the Amsterdam students Club Nereus girls taking the gold medal both racing days.

The Saso Mirjanic Memorial Race men’s fours (winner of the Barcelona Olympics bronze medal)  was won by Hungarian National team crew. And Slovenian’s rowing hero, Rajko Hrvat took the win in the lightweight men’s single sculls, after taking bronze in World Rowing Cup III in Sabaudia.

The Bled Organising Committee (OC) introduced a Covid-19 Response Plan and conducted the event using accredited only areas with no spectators present. The restrictions were successfully followed by OC and participants and was successful in its organisation.

The Bled OC is now preparing to host the 2021 Euro Masters Regatta on Tour between 16-19 September. Then in 2023 Bled will host the 2023 European Rowing Championships.

More about the event: https://www.bledrowing.com/regattas/bled-international-regatta/

2022 Bled International Regatta is scheduled for 10-12 June.