Lucerne, Switzerland to be site of 2027 World Rowing Championships

At their November 16 meeting the 2024 World Rowing Congress voted Lucerne, Switzerland to be the location of the 2027 World Rowing Championships.

Lucerne and Varese, Italy both submitted bids that included presentations and feedback from the chairs of the Events Commission, Competitive Commission and Athletes Commission. Location, accessibility, and venue size were deciding factors in the venue’s ability to accommodate for all competitors and coaches.

“For a long time, the event didn’t have Para rowing,” said head coach for U.S. Para team Ellen Minzner. “They ran some test events, but it hadn’t been part of the regatta until recently in a very formal way. That’s pretty exciting. It’s one of the best rowing venues in the world and to have it now be fully embedded with Para is really exciting. There will be a lot of opportunities to test out that venue prior to the World Championships in 2027.”

This venue was the location for the most recent Final Olympic & Paralympic Qualification Regatta (FOPQR) and there will be several more opportunities for athletes to race down the course before the 2027 Championships.

“There is a steep hill down that venue but they’re pretty accommodating,” recalled Minzner. “The racks being closely situated to the docks is a really nice feature. They had a launching dock specifically for Para at the FOPQR this year. From my perspective, each venue has to learn, evolve and adapt as they fully embrace the Para scene as it comes to their regatta. The great thing is, we don’t have to wait for perfection. They did an amazing job at the FOPQR. I know it will grow even more, and they will keep perfecting the site logistics. The fact that it’s at this premiere venue—I’m super excited about it.”

The World Rowing Congress meeting also involved other agenda items such as two members of the Council’s election to the World Rowing Executive Committee Mathias Binder (SUI) and Guin Batten (GBR) will be serving as Chair of the Equipment and Technology Commission and Chair of the Coastal Rowing Commission respectively.

World Rowing also added The Sierra Leone Rowing Federation to its 160 national rowing federation members.

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