Rowing Ready To Rock!

With 100 days to go, New Zealand’s plans for the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro will make the event unique in rowing history. For the first time, an extra day has been added to the programme, for a spectacular Opening Ceremony. And, in another Kiwi innovation, top NZ bands will perform throughout the week to create a true party atmosphere for spectators.
This'll be the country's biggest international sports event since the 1990 Commonwealth Games and, despite the recession, ticket sales are off to a flying start with more than 20,000 sold.
Organisers've been working to create an amazing party around the rowing competition, and there'll be something for everyone off the water. The Opening Ceremony on Saturday 30 October will begin with a nostalgic look back at the 1978 Championships (the last time the event was held in NZ), followed by a flotilla of water craft with athletes and celebrities celebrating the history of the oldest Olympic sport and the success of NZ rowers – and other sports – over the years. After the formal part of the Ceremony, a 90-minute rock gig will bring the day to a close. And horseracing fans won't miss out either, with the running of the legendary Melbourne Cup (2nd.Nov.) broadcast live on big screens.
For the first time, there'll be four days of medal finals, after the international rowing federation revised the traditional format in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics.
With over 3 months to go, there've been more tickets sold than the World Champs in Poland last year. The aim is to sell 50,000+ tickets: with the quality of competition, the support for NZ rowing and the entertainment off the water, it shouldn't be difficult!
[see also my post about Tirau, just up the road from the Champs...]