Decision looms on regatta

ROWING

HAMISH Bond may not even get his chance to go to the Olympics.

World Rowing has made the decision to go ahead with the Olympic qualifying regatta at Lucerne in Switzerland in May.

The regatta was to qualify boats for the Olympics in Tokyo but had been cancelled last year because of the Covid19 pandemic. The Olympic Games followed suit.

World Rowing said earlier this week it was confident with the correct protocols and measures the regatta in Lucerne could go ahead without incident.

Rowing New Zealand was due to send a men’s quad and men’s eight, including Bond, to the regatta. It now had to decide whether it wanted to send a team.

Rowers would not have to isolate when they get to Switzerland but would have to find isolation spots when they get back to New Zealand.

The two weeks in isolation would limit training — hardly an ideal Olympic preparation. The regatta is to be held from May 1517.

World Rowing said it had surveyed members on their views and countries outside Europe were not believed to be keen to head to Europe.

Olympic rules stipulate entries must be finalised by May 17, World Rowing said.

Rowing NZ had met the rowers affected and a decision on whether to travel is expected tomorrow.

The governing body had hoped the Lucerne regatta would be cancelled and the crews would have automatically qualified for Tokyo.