For the first time in history, Poznań had the honor of hosting the European Rowing Championship.

The event was re-established this year, after a 30-year-long break.
The first European Rowing Championship was organized as long ago as the 1920s. Polish national team first participated in the event in 1925. The last championship before the break was held in Moscow in 1973. The World Rowing Federation decided, however, that after all those years, the championships should be brought back.
In Poznań, almost 400 rowers from 33 European countries appeared on the start line. The race was organized on the Malta Regatta course, considered by experts one of the most beautiful courses in the world.
For the organizers, this was a kind of a dress rehearsal before next-year’s championships. In June, the best rowers in the world will all come to Poznań twice: first, the Malta course will host Qualifications for the Olympic Games in Bejging, and only a few days later the final races of the World Cup. The series of championships in Poznań will be topped by the 2009 World Rowing Championships.

Photos (POSiR)