Although several races were completed this morning at the 2010 FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta (Sept. 02 to 05, 2010), racing was cancelled from late morning on due to high winds on the course in St. Catharines, Ont.
"We are are on a very tight schedule, with basically racing from dawn till dusk. At the same time we are very weather dependent," said Peter Morrison, Chairman of FISA's Masters Rowing Commission. "This was a clear decision. The local committee and umpires reviewed the conditions every hour for three hours, and confirmed the course was unrowable."
"The competitors understand and support the decision, and we've had no complaints at all," said Morrison, who is from Great Britain and has been a FISA umpire for 25 and Chair of the Masters Commission for 16 years. "Sadly, we cannot resurrect today's program."
Races began at 8 am, but the conditions got progressively worse until they were suspended late this morning and then cancelled early this afternoon.
President of the Jury, Mike Bagshawe, explained there were gusts of close to 50 km/hr. "The start and finish areas were unrowable, and the forecast was that the wind was only going to get worse," Bagshawe said after the decision was made to cancel the races today. "It was really a very easy decision, as we will always put the safety of the rowers first."
Weather aside, most of the competitors have enjoyed their experience so far in St. Catharines - known for hosting the annual Royal Canadian Henley - and have praised the local committee for the way it has handled all aspects of this large regatta.
"The organization of this regatta is perfect," said 75-year-old German competitor Hans Wilczoch, who belongs to the Hellas Offenbach rowing club. Wilczoch won a gold medal yesterday as part of the club's men's I (75 to 79 years) eight in 3:35.05, over 1000 metres, and another gold this morning in the men's I four. "I have been rowing in Masters events since 1970 and the organization here is one of the best. Except the weather, but that cannot be controlled."
This year, the average age of men competing is 54 and the average age of the women is 49, and includes rowers who are ex-Olympic medallists as well as those who are newer to the sport.
Canadian rowers are enjoying the international flavour of the regatta and also have not been phased by the weather.
"Organizers have been fantastic," said Connie Lebrun of the Edmonton Rowing Club, who is entered in four events at the regatta. "The communication has been really good, so we have been well informed of any changes."
The atmosphere remains festive, with many social activities planned around the four-day regatta, which is held annually in a different location each year.
Tomorrow's schedule begins with a strong program of mixed races and the draw can be found on the 2010 FISA Masters web site.