Rowing: World champs bid launched

A crucial government cash injection of $1.5 million has swelled Rowing New Zealand's (RNZ) coffers improving their chances of hosting the 2010 world championships.

The injection was confirmed yesterday, just days before RNZ chief executive Craig Ross and chairman Bill Falconer go to Germany to launch their final bid to convince Fisa, the world rowing federation, that Lake Karapiro can stage a "once in a lifetime experience".

Ross and Faulkner will present to the Fisa council in Munich on May 28 with a final decision due in August with RNZ competing directly with the Dutch who want to host the event in Amsterdam.

New Zealand last staged the world championships at Lake Karapiro in 1978.

Ross told NZPA today that the Government's backing was vital in reaching its $5 million operating budget for the world championships, and it allowed RNZ to tick "all their boxes" before making their final presentation.

"Our chances have increased with the extra financial support," Ross said.

"Before that I would have put our odds at 60 per cent, now I think they've improved to 75 per cent."

He conceded there was a $500,000 shortfall to cover contingency expenses, but was confident the extra cash could be secured over the next four years.

In contrast the Dutch bid was awash with dollars as it received full financial backing from the Netherlands government and tourist board.

While the Dutch had a much larger budget, Ross claimed their Achilles heel was their man-made Bosbaan course which has been slated by athletes and officials.

"It's a man-made course which is shallow with the bare minimum depth of three metres.

"It's also very choppy water with only one side sheltered so it's not a fair course and athletes worldwide will tell you that."

RNZ were also laying on thick the natural beauty of Lake Karapiro while drawing on the memories of 1978 championships with some competitors back then, now filling Fisa council seats.

"A 'Once in a lifetime experience'. That's what we're offering to the athletes and Fisa and the 1978 championships were considered one of the best ever," Ross said.

Also in New Zealand's favour was Fisa's desire to have the world championships spread more evenly around the globe with the vast majority held in Europe.

Australia hosted in 2000 and 1990 as part of an apparent 10-year cycle to stage the event in the Southern hemisphere.

The class of New Zealand's athletes following their four gold medals in Gifu, Japan last year has also made the rowing world take notice.

"That's got to be the one big influence over the Dutch," Ross said.

"There are a lot of federations on the council saying what the hell is happening down in New Zealand."

Unlike the New Zealand Rugby Union's successful bid to host the 2011 World Cup when they added skipper Tana Umga, rugby legend Colin Meads and Prime Minister Helen Clark, RNZ would not be taking any of their leading lights to Munich.

World and Olympic double-sculls champions Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell were already used to announce New Zealand's bid in Turkey last year.

After the presentation, the Fisa council will make a recommendation to the Fisa congress that will deliberate and announce the successful bid on August 28.

"We have everything in our favour," Ross said.

"We held one successfully which has been considered to be the best in the world and it's a talking point of those who are decision makers now."

- NZPA