The 35th Sri Lanka Rowing Championships started today, 19th February 2020, at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre. The heats and qualifying races were worked off today, which saw crews taking things easy. Many of the boats will face the same opponents in the next few days as the heats, repechages, semis, and finals play out on the waters of the DRC. The viewers and rowers can expect intense competition starting tomorrow.
This year, a total of 21 crews will be rowing in the Championships, with 13 schools, 3 universities, 3 armed forces and 2 rowing clubs taking part.
The Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka has once again organized this year’s regatta in accordance with international standards, with the senior category (Under-18, Intermediate, and Open) races taking place on a course of 2000m. The Under-16s face a course of 1000m, and the Under-14s row a shorter distance of 500m.
2019’s Women’s Champions the Sri Lanka Army, certainly look set to repeat last year’s victory. The ladies of the Army left their opponents far behind, looking calm and confident as they crossed the finish line. The defending Men’s (co-)champions the Sri Lanka Navy, also looked hopeful to retain the title for yet another year.
The school rowing scene of the past few years has seen Ladies’ College dominating the Girls’ category and the oldest school crews, S. Thomas’ College and Royal College, taking turns to win in the Boys’ category. While they might be looking to replicate their success in the 35th Nationals, they will certainly face stiff competition from the other schools.
The Universities of Colombo and Moratuwa, as well as the Kotelawela Defence Academy, are all well-represented in the nationals. The previous years have seen the Tri-Forces dominating the Nationals in the Intermediate and Open categories, perhaps this year the varsity crews will be able to take her home.
The pressure is bound to mount in the coming days as each crew competes for a spot in the finals of each category. Will the Sailors and the Soldiers be able to repeat their past victories? Will the Air Force take the laurels for themselves this year? Will we see a new school emerging to divert the spotlight from the three who currently command the stage? Will the undergraduates assert themselves over the Forces? Stay tuned to ThePapare for more details as one of the most exciting events of the rowing calendar unfolds in the next three days on the waters of the Diyawanna.
