The year that was… para-rowing

What this means… standardisation of the race distance, doubling it up from 1000m to 2000m, to equal that of able-bodied elite rowers.
Number of votes in favour of inclusion at the 2017 FISA Extraordinary Congress… 126, against 25.
Renaming of the para-rowing events… five events now named: 

• Para PR1 men’s single sculls (PR1 M1x)… was AS men’s single sculls
• Para PR1 women’s single sculls (PR1 W1x)… was AS women’s single sculls
• Para PR2 mixed double sculls (PR2 Mixed double sculls)… TA mixed double sculls
• Para PR3 mixed double sculls (PR3 Mix2x)… was LTA mixed double sculls
• Para PR3 mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix4+)… was LTA mixed coxed four

For more information about the inclusion of para-rowing, click here. 

Gavirate International Para-Rowing Regatta

When and where… Gavirate (ITA), 13-14 May 2017
Racing distance… 2000m for the first time in para-rowing history
Number of nations participating… 14
Number of new para-rowers who received para-rowing classification this year… 40
Winner in the para PR1 men’s single sculls… Roman Poliansky (UKR), 2016 Paralympic Champion, in both finals of the regatta.
Winner of the para PR1 women’s single sculls… Moran Samuel (ISR) on both days of finals.
Winners in the para PR2 mixed double sculls… Corne de Koning and Annika van der Meer (NED) on both Saturday and Sunday. In both finals, they won ahead of the experienced French duo of Perle Bouge and Stephane Tardieu (London 2012 silver, Rio 2016 bronze).
Winners in the para PR3 mixed coxed four… In both finals of the regatta: Great Britain’s Grace Clough, James Fox, Emma Tod, Oliver Stanhope (on Saturday) / Rob Sargent (on Sunday) and coxswain Anna Corderoy. Grace Clough and James Fox were part of the 2016 Paralympic Champion crew.

For more information here.
 

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Para-rowing’s transformation

How the training system must now change for para-rowing… focus is now on building endurance and maintaining technique.
How the new para-rowing classification names are structured… The three sport classes are labelled PR1, PR2 and PR3, where ‘PR’ stands for para-rowing and numbers 1, 2 and 3 indicate the level of ability. This aligns better with the International Paralympic Committee’s classification.
What the new para-rowing classification labels stand for…
PR1 = formerly AS (functional use of arms and shoulders, but minimal or no trunk function)
PR2 = formerly TA (functional use of trunk and arms, but cannot use sliding seat to move boat)
PR3 = formerly LTA (functional use of legs, trunk and arms and can use sliding seat to move boat)

Para-rowing at the 2017 World Rowing Championships

Feature video: Para-rowing at the 2017 World Rowing Championships here.  

2017 World Champion and World Best Time holder in the para PR1 women’s single sculls… Birgit Skarstein of Norway. She set the World Best Time at World Rowing Cup II in Poznan, Poland at 10:49.94.
Final Race Report here.
Final Video here. 

2017 World Champion and new World Best Time holder in the para PR1 men’s single sculls… Erik Horrie of Australia, Paralympic silver medallist in 2012 and 2016. Horrie set the new World Best Time at the World Rowing Championships in Sarasota-Bradenton at 09:39.48.
Final Race Report here.  
Final Video here. :

2017 World Champions and World Best Time holders in the para PR2 mixed double sculls… Annika van der Meer and Corne de Koning of the Netherlands. The duo also won gold at World Rowing Cup II in Poznan, Poland where they set the current World Best Time at 08:06.21.
Final Race Report here. 
Final Video here. 

2017 World Champions and new World Best Time holders in the para PR3 mixed coxed four… Great Britain’s Grace Clough, Giedre Rakauskaite, Oliver Stanhope, James Fox and coxswain Anna Corderoy. They set the New World Best Time at 6:55.7.
Final Race Report here.
Final Video here. 

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What they said at the 2017 World Rowing Championships…

“That was my first international race, but this is the best place I’ve rowed in. We’ve had to do a lot of aerobic training to transition from 1km to 2km, but I am super happy.” – Oliver Stanhope, PR3 Mix4+ (GBR)

“This is a great race! It was our best race of the season. This was such a great relief.” – Annika van der Meer, PR2 Mix2x(NED)

“I thought I would give it a try to beat Birgit, but she’s a wonderful competitor. The conditions were a little bit rough today and I am still trying to understand what is a good speed for me for 2km racing.” – Moran Samuel, PR1 W1x (ISR)

“The field has really stepped up this season but the athletes have stepped up even more. This was the hardest race of my life with Roman (Poliansky). Next season the differences will get even closer and closer.” – Erik Horrie. PR1 M1x (AUS)