World Rowing returns to Windsor & Eton

7th October 2010

Following on the tremendous success of the World Rowing events at Eton Dorney during 2005 and 2006, the venue has once again been selected to hold a prestigious World Rowing Championships in 2011.  This time it is the turn of the World Rowing Junior Championships to visit the Borough on 4^th – 7^th August.

The course at Dorney Lake, home to Eton Rowing College, is a popular venue for both international and local regattas and, as the home of the London 2012 Olympic Regatta, it will serve as the official test event before the Games.

The World Junior Championships are always very popular and over 700 young athletes from around 60 countries are expected to compete in 2011. To qualify as a Junior a rower or coxswain remains classified as such until the 31st December of the year in which they reach the age of 18. These Championships frequently sees the launch of the rowing stars of the future and many junior athletes go on to achieve Olympic and other senior championship successes. British successes in the past have included Matt Pinsent, James Cracknell and Sir Steve Redgrave.

The first FISA Youth Regatta was held in 1967 and has been held every year since then, being changed to the Junior World Championships in 1985. In the beginning the regatta was only for young men but in 1993, following the strength of women’s rowing in the Olympics, events for young women were included.

With so many young people visiting the Royal Borough it would be fantastic to see a good crowd lining the course cheering home not only our British crews but the junior athletes from all the other nations too. The event website www.wrjc2011.com is now live and has all the information for volunteers and spectators as well as athletes and the media. It will be updated regularly over the coming months so do visit it regularly.

Tickets for the Championships will go on sale in 2011 and will be available for all four days of racing, with discounts for those who book early. There will be ticket options available for grandstand seating and enclosure access, as well as space for clubs and groups to pitch their gazebos and enjoy a picnic alongside this world-famous rowing course. Look out for ticket price details and how to buy on the website - you can also register to receive ticketing updates via email at www.wrjc2011.com/spectators

It is not just about rowing thought. During the four days of the Championships there will be plenty of on-water action as well as entertainment and retail opportunities for spectators. It is expected to be a very popular day out as people go to Dorney Lake to get the Olympic experience exactly a year before the Games will be taking place.

We look forward to seeing you there.