All rowing back on schedule

For Faroese people, rowing contests at summer fairs are a fixture of summer and a symbol of youth, vitality and high spirits.

So it came as a big blow when it was announced on 20 April that the entire rowing season was called off on the advice of the health authorities due to the COVID-19 infection risk caused by the close proximity of the rowers and the heavy panting involved.

Decision overruled

Many rowers were taken aback by this decision, arguing that it was made prematurely and with too short notice.

This resulted in a meeting between the regional rowing associations and the national rowing association (RSF) two days after the cancellation.

The conclusion of the meeting was that each regional rowing association was to decide whether to go ahead with their local round of the championship.

Back on schedule

After careful consideration of security procedures, Klaksvík, which hosts the first in a series of summer fairs featuring rowing, decided on Tuesday that it would host its round of the championship, though without spectators or medal ceremonies.

Not long after this announcement was made, all the other regional rowing associations reported that they would be following suit and go ahead with their local rounds, with similar restrictions as the ones in Klaksvík.

This means the championship schedule is back to its original format.

Translated by prosa.fo