Race the World from Home

WORDS: KEITH CHEUNG | IMAGES: KEITH CHEUNG | CLAIRE BURLEY | HONG KONG, CHINA ROWING ASSOCIATION

The Asian Continental Qualifier for the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH), hosted by the Hong Kong, China Rowing Association drew over 250 entries from 14 countries and regions on 24 January. Rowers competed virtually by connecting their rowing ergometers to an online platform, which facilitated a ‘real time’ indoor rowing competition across several time zones within the region.

Athletes from around the world can aim to qualify for the 2021 WRICH through either a continental qualification event or through a more challenging open qualification pathway. Top finishers at the continental qualifiers are awarded a spot in the World Finals. The open pathway also allows rowers of all nationalities to directly submit their times, and the remaining seats at the Finals will be allocated to the top 10 competitors. Using a unique race log-in code and connecting their Concept2 ergometer to a computer, competitors were set up and ready to go. To facilitate more of an event ‘feel’, competitors were also encouraged to sign in to a live Zoom call where they could listen to live commentary (courtesy of Club Member Steve Coats) and see their competitors from across the region on the screen in real time! Of course, given the amount of reliance on technology for this event to work, glitches were expected and unfortunately did happen with several athletes becoming victim to an unstable internet connection. A perfect example of new problems faced by race organisers in this new reality. Former Club Rowing Captain, Wan Ng won the Men’s Masters 40-49 2000m and secured his spot at the World Finals; whilst Claire Burley narrowly missed out on her final spot by finishing 3rd in the Lightweight Women’s 2000m, and 4th in the Lightweight Women’s 500m.