Due to very strong winds today, Thursday’s races were cancelled at the 2003 FISA World Rowing Junior Championships at the Schinias Rowing and Canoeing Center. FISA has announced a series of scenarios for racing tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday which anticipate various weather conditions. All options now have the first race starting at 06:30 hrs and finishing by 09:00 hrs on both Friday and Saturday. All scenarios are based on the principles of “Safe and Fair” racing conditions for every athlete.
Background
The Schinias site of the Athens Olympic regatta course has been discussed by ATHOC and the Ministry of Public Works with FISA since 1988 and FISA has been involved with the construction and design of this venue from the beginning.
Olympic Games
The wind being experienced this week is affecting all of Southern Europe. Rowing is an outdoor sport always subject to weather conditions. FISA has great flexibility in its rules allowing it to adapt to the situation. While the Junior Championships is concentrated into four days, the Olympic regatta takes place over eight days which also provides for greater flexibility.
FISA’s Development Programme will use Schinias as its winter and early spring training base due to the mild weather in the region, the excellent facilities of Schinias and its close location to the Athens International Airport. FISA envisages future major regattas will be held at Schinias. This centre, as the only facility of its quality in the area, will contribute to the development of rowing, canoeing and other water sports in this region.
FISA confirms that the Schinias venue meets or surpasses all of its standards for the construction of international regatta courses, is the best location in Greece for the Olympic regatta and will provide an important legacy for the future. FISA is confident that there will be an excellent Olympic Regatta in 2004 .