This is your weekly Rowing Briefing, covering the key developments of the last seven days on the rowing circuit, both in the UK and beyond. To receive an audio briefing with these stories and more at the start of each week, sign up to Updates. If you have a story to share, contact our news desk – juniorrowingnews@gmail.com.
Domestic Rowing:
“The last year has been a massive challenge for the rowing community. From the lockdown in March, through the reopening process and then further lockdowns, the rowing family has really stood up and been counted.”
Nick Hubble, Chair of the Sport Committee
As lockdown Three rumbles on, the rowing world continues to snooze under the blanket of national restrictions. What the circuit will look like come regatta season is anyone’s guess; for now, we must be content to continually discover bites of knowledge that provide disappointing but reassuring, certainty.
In an eerily familiar domino sequence, several heads have once again been axed this week, including BUCS Fours and Eights Head; hopes remain high that university crews will be able to race in early May at BUCS Regatta.
British Rowing has released the latest version of their Rowing in Lockdown advice which can be found here. Given the national restrictions currently in place in England, level 5 rowing restrictions remain, which directs all club facilities to close. The only on-water activity being personal exercise for individuals or household bubbles that can safely access, launch and recover their boat without accessing their club (e.g. stored at home and launched from a public space); the local waterways authority must also permit ‘recreational boating’.
The GB Senior Men’s team Olympic Squad have begun the year on a domestic rowing camp at St. George’s Park, with the world-class facilities in Burton-upon-Trent presenting an ideal alternative to their usual camps abroad.
Director of Performance Brendan Purcell said: “We are very grateful to be able to continue our training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games during this extremely difficult time for the UK. St. George’s Park is a fantastic venue with world-class performance facilities, and it will be a great experience for the squad to train there.”
The GB Senior Women’s team Olympic Squad will head to Avis, Portugal for their winter training camp, whilst the para-rowing team will use the additional space available at Caversham.
International Rowing
“World Rowing announces a violation of Art. 10.2 World Rowing Anti-Doping Bye-Laws by Mr Robert Strachan.”
World Rowing Press Release
Scottish Rowing’s Robert Strachan has been banned from all sporting roles for the next four years after testing positive on the 7th February 2020 for the prohibited substances terbutaline, clenbuterol and exogenous testosterone. World Rowing announced that a violation of Article. 10.2 World Rowing Anti-Doping Bye-Laws by Mr Strachan means he is ineligible for competition in all sports governed by signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code for four years from 20th March 2020 to 19th March 2024.
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