Winds threaten more chaos for battered rowers
Weather could wipe out another day of racing Pinsent confident event can still finish by Sunday
Bad weather threatens to wreak further havoc on the Olympic rowing competition today, after a second day’s racing was wiped out.
The start of an expected gold rush for Great Britain at Lagoa Stadium is in danger of being delayed this morning, following another miserable forecast. The competition has been plagued by high winds, with rowers complaining about having to race on the opening day on Saturday before the entire day’s racing was abandoned on Sunday.
Organisers said they would leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to go ahead today, amid fears they could be forced to make use of Sunday’s reserve day to complete the remaining races in the programme.
Among those whose medal races could be postponed are women’s pair Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who delivered Team GB’s first gold of London 2012 and are unbeaten in five years.
Their semi-final had been scheduled for yesterday, with the final tomorrow. The medal race taking place on time could depend on the semi going ahead today.
Men’s four Alex Gregory, Constantine Louloudis, Moe Sbihi and George Nash, and lightweight men’s double sculls Richard Chambers and Will Fletcher are in the same situation.
Already forced to wait for their medal race were men’s quadruple sculls team Peter Lambert, Sam Townsend, Angus Groom and Jack Beaumont, whose final was rearranged from yesterday to today.
Team GB rowing chiefs were last night unfazed about the delays, while rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent told The Daily Telegraph: “It happens; you’ve got to be ready for it. I think the concern now is they know the last possible time they can race is Sunday morning.”
Pinsent was confident all the medal races could be squeezed into tomorrow and Saturday provided the weather clears up. He added: “There are some Armageddon things around time trials and stuff like that but we’re not there yet.”
Matt Smith, the executive director of World Rowing, concurred, saying: “The forecast for tomorrow is less strong winds than today but [I am] not particularly optimistic about the forecast. We remain optimistic that Friday and Saturday are for sure going to be good days.
“We still hold Sunday morning as a reserve-day option to see how this plays out. We have already made a plan C or D. I can’t remember which plan we’re on now.”
Pinsent, a four-time Olympic champion, pointed out the location chosen was the site of several rowing clubs and that even London 2012 had delays to racing. “I still think it’s worth going for a venue that’s beautiful, natural and right at the heart of the action,” he added.