2021 World Rowing

Pete Lam (Top Right Corner)

2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships

WORDS: KEITH CHEUNG | IMAGES: WORLD ROWING | CLAIRE BURLEY

As elite rowers start to get back on the water and train towards the 2020+1 Tokyo Olympic Games, the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) was held virtually from 23 to 27 February. The event had more than 700 athletes from 63 nations participate virtually from various time zones around the world, including four Club members all participating from Hong Kong.

n the same way as the regional qualifiers, all competitors race against rowers across borders by connecting their Concept2 ergometers to the computer, and then using Zoom so they can keep a close eye on their international competitors.

The races in the event were scheduled during the day in the Central European Time, meaning that our Club Rowers had to compete in the evening from Hong Kong. Racing from the squash court gallery at Kellett Island Wan Ng, former Club Rowing Captain finished 8th in the Men’s Masters 40-49 2000m category. Competing from her roof terrace, Claire Burley who qualified for both the 2000m and the 500m, finished in 11th place in the Lightweight Women’s 2000m and 14th place in the Lightweight Women’s 500m.

CONTACTS

Rowing Manager rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk Coastal Rowing coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk Shatin Men’s Racing shatinrowingmen@rhkyc.org. hk Shatin Women’s Racing shatinrowingladies@rhkyc.org.hk

Roof Terrace Set-Up

“Taking part in the WRICH was definitely an amazing experience, although also a challenge. Due to the time zone differences, my 2km race was at 2200hrs Hong Kong Time, which, on a normal day I’d already be in bed! Unfortunately I didn’t perform to my best abilities. An overly excited start caused me to tire out early and slip behind. Although I was still quite happy with 11th place for my first world event!” said Claire.

“As for the 500m, I had never expected to qualify for this final, so it came as a welcomed surprise to find out I had just scraped in through open qualification. This race was at a much more reasonable time (1915hrs). And I managed to improve my time by 0.3 seconds in this race.” she added. Jacky Chiu and Pete Lam, current Hong Kong Squad members and new Junior Members of the Club, earned good positions by both finishing 6th in their respective age and weight category 2000m race. Another great step towards their Tokyo Olympics preparation. The full results and race replay of the WRICH can be found at https://worldrowing.com/. Congratulations to all Club rowers who participated in the international event!

Jacky Chiu (Bottom Right Corner)