Rowing: Weed machine needed for world champs bid

The lack of a special aquatic weed harvesting machine could be a stumbling block in New Zealand's bid to host the 2010 world rowing championships on Lake Karapiro.

Riding a high after winning four gold medals at the recent world rowing championships in Japan, Rowing New Zealand plans to lodge an application with world rowing body, FISA, ahead of next Friday's deadline.

But Rowing NZ chief executive Craig Ross said an underwriter was wanted quickly for the $320,000 rowing course aquatic weed harvesting machine for the lake before the deadline.

The machine is needed to overcome the growing weed problem on Karapiro's 2000m rowing course in time to convince a visiting Fisa delegation in February-March that the facilities are up to scratch.

Applications for gaming trust money have been made but an underwriter was needed meantime.

"The only thing holding us back at the moment is this weed problem," Ross said.

"If we can fix that I am in no doubt we can successfully bid for the championships, because we meet all the other criteria."

An order needed to be confirmed with the Australian manufacturer of the harvester and a $150,000 deposit paid by next Friday.

It took 10 weeks to build the machine and about a month needed to clear weed from the course.

Ross said the bid itself was expected to cost about $200,000 and the championships a further $5-6 million.

Lake Karapiro would be expected to undergo a major overhaul costing between $8 to $10 million.

The world championships were last held in New Zealand at Lake Karapiro in 1978.

Rowing NZ chairman Bill Falconer said Rowing NZ had approached a number of potential sponsors and had support from Sparc, the government's sports funding agency, and the Waipa District and Hamilton City Councils.

- nzpa