03 Jan 2023
Seven things every rowing fan should be excited for in 2023
2022 was a year with some amazing moments, from the return to the World Rowing Championships to the development of all disciplines of the sport across the globe. Now that we’ve hit the New Year, we’re already flying towards what has the makings of a thrilling new season. So, what does 2023 have in store? Here are 7 things to get excited about this season.
It’s qualification year for the Olympics and Paralympics
Feels like Tokyo was yesterday? Paris is already tomorrow… In September, all eyes will be on the Ada Ciganlija course, in downtown Belgrade. Not only the Serbian capital will play host to the 2023 World Rowing Championships, but this will also be the first opportunity for nations to qualify their boats for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Look for some nail-bitting races all week long, with some of these qualifying spots being decided during B-Finals.
Coastal rowing has a chance to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Programme
A huge success in Wales for the World Championships. An inclusion in the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Bali, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia. The growth of coastal rowing is exponential, and could reach new heights in 2023 with the publication of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Programme. World Rowing made a formal proposal to add the discipline of Coastal Rowing in the event programme, and discussions are ongoing with LA2028 and the IOC before a decision will be made public in 2023.
Vaires-sur-Marne getting ready to welcome the best of rowing in 2024
The year before the Olympic games, the tradition sees the venue of the Olympics welcoming the World Rowing Under 19 Championships. 2023 will be no exception, and the course in Vaires-sur-Marne will see the best junior rowers in the world competing in what may be their first international regatta. While few of them are likely to represent their respective countries a year later during the Olympics, the U19s will be the first ones to test the Olympic course. And this will be the first time a World Regatta will be held in Paris since 1997.
The first-ever World Rowing event in Africa
For the first time, the entire World Rowing family will meet on the African continent. Tshwane, near Pretoria, will host the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta. After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Masters made their return on the rowing map last year in Libourne, France, for a very successful edition. For any rower aged 27 or more wanting to compete at the highest level, don’t look any further – Tshwane will be the place to be in late September 2023.
The first-ever World Rowing Versa Challenge
For the first time since the creation of the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH), the 2023 edition will feature a competition composed of multiple events. Over two days, competitors will race in five different events with the goal to be crowned the World Rowing Versa Champion. The Versa is an in-person only competition format. Ten men and ten women will qualify in advance to compete in the Versa in Mississauga-Toronto, Canada on 25-26 February 2023. This will also be the first-ever hybrid event – after two years in full virtual-mode, we’re expecting lots of competitors in Canada. Don’t miss it!
The big 5-0 for the Sinkovic Brothers?
Last year, for their return in the Men’s Double Sculls, the Sinkovic Brothers had a fantastic run at the beginning of the season – with a hat-trick of wins at all three World Cups, and another European title to their belt. The count to their international medals is at 49, and they may have missed out at the World Championships last year… only to get the 50th one on home waters, in Zagreb, for World Rowing Cup I. We can’t imagine the celebrations around Jarun Lake if Martin and Valent win that event…
Can anyone grab the “Triple Crown” ?
Being a complete rower means having the ability to be the best across all disciplines. But to this day, no one has ever won the “Triple Crown” at the senior level – being crowned World Rowing Champion on flat-water, indoor and coastal rowing. Few of them have won two, in different combinations (Olena Buryak of Ukraine, Giovanni Ficarra of Italy, or more recently, Emma Twigg of New Zealand) but no one has ever been crowned World Champion across the three disciplines. Who will be the one to put his name at the top of the World Rowing record books ?
There’s no doubt in our mind that 2023 is going to be one of the most exciting seasons ever. Head over to social media to let us know what you are most excited for!