2010 World Rowing Championships Open

OPENING CEREMONY: 30 October 2010

2010 World Rowing Championships Open

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The 2010 World Rowing Championships was officially declared open by FISA President Denis Oswald at the Opening Ceremony today.

The Ceremony began with Rob Hamill rowing his Ocean Boat and transporting Kiwi comedian Dai Henwood to the stage. Henwood, wearing a rowing one piece from the 1978 World Rowing Championships, was quick to get the 6,380 strong crowd entertained.

Performances by pop opera group Lyrica and acrobatic sensation Zach Washer, with his Cyr wheeling, kept the crowd happy between Henwood’s jokes and some highlights from 1978 Championships.

Local school children were the flag bearers for the 49 competing countries at the Championships. The host nation scored the loudest cheer from the crowd as Mahe Drysdale and Eric Murray crossed the stage.

The local iwi Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua performed a traditional Maori powhiri for all visitors. It included a haka, wero (challenge), karanga (calling performed by a female elder), waiata, hongi (pressing of noses) and kapa haka. The powhiri finished with a spectacular salute by four waka containing over 150 waka taua (paddlers) to the FISA officials.

Alan Livingstone, Mayor of Waipa District Council, welcomed visitors to the region and said he was looking forward to seeing international athletes compete at this new world class venue.

“We are looking forward to watching the best do the best at the best,” Livingstone said.

Bill Falconer, Chairman of Rowing NZ and the 2010 World Rowing Championships, said he wanted athletes, federations, sponsors and spectators all to go away saying they have had a great experience at Lake Karapiro.

Denis Oswald, President of FISA, acknowledged that the best warriors in the world were assembled at Lake Karapiro to compete and declared the 2010 World Rowing Championships open.

OPSHOP lead singer Jason Kerrison sang the New Zealand anthem as the New Zealand flag was raised.

The Opening Ceremony finished with a bang with the release of a colourful array of streamers and 2010 biodegradable helium-filled balloons.

And the host nation's lightweight men's pair of James Lassche and Graham Oberlin-Brown will represent New Zealand in the opening race of the Championships, scheduled for 10.05am tomorrow (Sunday).

ENDS

The 2010 World Rowing Championships (30 October – 7 November) is the biggest international sporting event in NZ since the 1990 Commonwealth Games with 800+ athletes from 49 countries competing.

The Championships were last staged in NZ, also at Lake Karapiro, in 1978. This is only the third World Rowing Championships to be held in the southern hemisphere.

Tickets, priced from just $19.95, are available from www.ticketek.co.nz and all Ticketek outlets.

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