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Photo Credit: Darko Zibar

1,000 top global rowers set to make an appearance

In spite of the challenging circumstances, Zagreb is chock-full of world-class sporting events this April! After an attractive global rally competition – WRC Croatia Rally, the city will host one of the world’s biggest rowing competitions. From 30 April to 2 May, at Zagreb’s Jarun lake, a World Rowing Cup event will premier in Croatia. It is an annual series of three regattas that act as a lead-up to the World Rowing Championships. It is held over three days with racing a progression system from heats through to finals. The World Rowing Cup is the biggest rowing competition after the World Championships, and about 1,000 top global rowers are set to make an appearance.

The world’s best crews will test each other at Jarun, headed by the Olympic, world and European champions, the brothers Martin and Valent Sinković in coxless pairs and Damir Martin in single sculls. Croatia will also be represented by the sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković in coxless pairs, David Šain and Goran Mahmutović in double sculls, as well as by Ivan Piton, Marko Ukropina, Anton and Patrik Lončarić in coxless fours. For all of them, this will be the first world competition at home and they are proudly awaiting the arrival of their global competition.

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Photo Credit: Darko Zibar

While it is likely that there will be no spectators at the event due to the epidemiological measures, the Croatian Television will broadcast the races live from the heart of Europe to 50 countries, enabling them to enjoy the rowing spectacle.

Zagreb’s Jarun lake – long-standing rowing tradition and home to top athletes

Zagreb has a rich rowing tradition and is proud of its highly successful rowers, who have once again brought home some excellent results. At the recently finished European Rowing Championships in Varese, Croatia was represented in three A finals, and famous Zagreb-based brothers Valent and Martin Sinković went home with a gold European medal in coxless pairs.

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Photo Credit: Darko Zibar

“We are proud that the World Rowing Cup takes place at Zagreb’s Jarun for the first time in history. This competition not only promotes the sport, but it is important for the overall promotion of Croatia and Zagreb as a historical and cultural centre, a tourist destination and modern European capital. Our athletes have achieved extraordinary results, written rowing history and they deserve to compete at home. Their results have motivated young people to take up rowing, so we can expect many more world-class results in the future!” said Branimir Bašić, the President of the Croatian Rowing Federation.

The preparations for the World Rowing Cup are in full swing, and the rebuilding works on the Jarun sports facilities should be completed about ten days ahead of the rowing spectacle. “In these difficult times, a wonderful thing is happening at Jarun, renovation after more than 30 years. Finally, our second home, the rowing course, is being updated, and it’s all happening because the World Cup is set to take place for the first time in Croatia. The entire global elite will come here, see where we’re building our careers and enjoy our lake, and all of us together will leave something for the generations to come. I think it’s a lovely occasion, and we hope our fans will, for their safety and epidemiological reasons, cheer us on by watching the live broadcast and support us on social networks!” renowned Olympic athlete Damir Martin said.

COVID-19 Response Plan

According to the event management guidelines, the World Rowing Federation, the Croatian Rowing Federation and the Olympic Committee have developed a COVID-19 Response Plan for organization of sport events based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The Plan has been carefully reviewed and approved by the Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters. The World Rowing Federation and the Olympic Committee are convinced that the planned measures are appropriate to minimize the risk from transmission and infection. The COVID-19 Response Plan for the regatta, as well as the program and the additional info about the event are available at http://www.zagrebrowing.com/.

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