Champion Lakes aims to lure World Championships

Rowing Australia has officially lodged a bid to host the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships at the newest Australian rowing course, Perth’s Champion Lakes.

Following a series of meetings and site visits, Rowing Australia formally advised the international rowing federation, FISA, of their bid this week.

The Champion Lakes course was completed in 2007 and has already hosted national dragon boating and canoe sprint championships, while the 2010 Australian Rowing Masters Championships will be held at the venue in June.

Rowing Australia President Colin Smith visited Perth earlier this week for meetings with WA Eventscorp, key government officials and a select group of rowing sponsors and stakeholders to firm up the bid.

“If we are successful in bringing the 2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships to Champion Lakes, it will be the first time the event has moved outside of Europe,” Smith said.

“We have the technical expertise to run an international standard event and fully expect to have the financial underpinning to deliver an outstanding World Championships.”

The Champion Lakes course was developed by the Armadale Redevelopment Authority and was based on the Olympic model which originated with the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Rowing WA President Craig James says landing the event would be a significant milestone.

“To host a World Championships would be a feather in the cap for Australian rowing,” James said. “We have been extremely happy to work with Rowing Australia to get this bid up and running and it really emphasises the strength in Australian rowing at present time.

"The choice of Champion Lakes to host an international regatta of this standard is just recognition of the care and detail that the Armadale Redevelopment Authority applied to the design and structure of the course.”

The Perth-based venue features warm up and competition lakes, as well as purpose built athlete and technical facilities.

The successful bid will be announced at the FISA Congress at the conclusion of the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand in November.

Up to 1500 athletes and coaches from over 50 nations take part in the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, while 200 FISA officials and media attend the event annually.

For more information please David Polglase 0401 453 041