Qualify for the 2022 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships

In its second year as a virtual event, the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) has been updated and become more streamlined when it comes to the qualification process.

In essence, explains World Rowing Sport Manager Liz Soutter, the top three athletes from each continental grouping (in each race category) will qualify to race. This means that the top 3 scores from Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe, and Oceania, will qualify in each event.

“Guided by the feedback we received from competitors last year, we have taken big steps towards making the qualification process more straightforward,” says Soutter. “This event is a unique opportunity for athletes from all corners of the world to compete against the best from the comfort of their own home, gym, or club,”

To submit a qualification score, athletes can do this independently (if they provide supporting verification materials) or, if they are racing in an indoor rowing event which is performing these verifications onsite (we are calling these Sanctioned Events) they can submit a score from that event and no additional verification is needed.

The details

• Open to any person who can row and submit a verified qualification score within the qualification period on a Concept2 static ergometer (PM3 or later)
• Competitors must first register at https://worldrowing.entries.regatta-systems.com/
• Once entered competitors must submit a verified qualification score in one of two ways:

1. Compete at a World Rowing sanctioned indoor event and use your score from that event as your qualification score.
2. Submit an independently performed qualification score with accompanying verification material.

• Competitors must submit a qualification score of the same race type as the race category for which you are trying to qualify.
• Qualification scores must be submitted and verified via the WRICH entry portal

Continental Regions

• Competitors will be ranked by continental groupings.
• The top three ranked competitors in each race category from each of the five continental groupings (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania) will qualify for the 15 virtual places (in the same race category).

 Entry and qualification deadline is 2 February 2022 (23:59 UTC)

Virtual Classification Announcement

Due to the challenges posed by COVID-19, the World Rowing Classification Advisory Panel (CAP) has established a COVID-19 Classification Protocol (CCP). This CCP will utilise alternative means, including video conferencing, combined with international and national classifiers, in order to temporarily classify those rowers who wish to participate in the 2022 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships (WRVICH). Athletes classified under the CCP will receive a “NEW” sport class status. The World Rowing Executive Committee have, on an exceptional basis, decided to allow athletes with a “NEW” sport class status to compete in the 2022 WRVICH. Athletes classified under the CCP will be required to attend a full physical classification later by a World Rowing International Panel before being allowed to compete in any future regatta or indoor rowing competition.

Federations wishing to arrange a virtual classification should email classification@worldrowing.com making such a request as soon as possible. Federations must also upload the classification medical documentation on behalf of these athlete to the RowingTwo portal no later than 31 December 2021. Please note that only athletes with an entry to the 2022 WRICH will have access to this virtual classification opportunity.

For information on VI and II athletes please visit the Event Information Page.