The first day of the Irish Championships at the National Rowing Centre will be run on a revised schedule because of predicted bad weather. The meeting of the club representatives tonight (Thursday) brought other major decisions.
There were a number of notable withdrawals at the declaration stage for Friday. Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy scratched from the singles events and will not meet at this stage, though they are set to meet in the doubles, where Fintan McCarthy will team up with Gary O’Donovan.
A proposal that incorrect points attributed to some rowers on the tracker system be used as the basis for the weekend’s racing was roundly defeated. It is understood that the tracker system had not taken account of international activity; the upgrading needed was set to affect many events.
The start time of the regatta on Friday has been deferred until 1 o’clock. Additional updates will be provided at noon if there is a further delay.
Rowers should attend the course at 12 noon at the latest for racing.
Because of Covid-19, the Championships have been shorn of the big numbers of underage rowers and of spectators (the crowd in the picture hark back to better days). However, the public can watch it on eventsireland.live, a welcome innovation this year.
Covid-19 has also seen one of the men’s senior eights lose one of its number. John Kearney of the UCC/Shandon eight has has to withdraw.