The World Rowing Championships filled Monaco's body of water with stars.
The World Sea Rowing Championships took place in Monaco from October 20 to 23. A particularly successful event which has attracted a large audience and top-level athletes… under a radiant sun such as only the Côte d'Azur can offer in the fall.
A resounding success
Backed by excellent results at the World Rowing Sea Rowing Championships in Lima in 2015 (two world titles for two boats entered) and the ever-renewed success of the Prince Albert II Challenge, the Société Nautique de Monaco was entrusted with the organization of the 2016 edition, which was held on the Principality's waterfront from October 20 to 23. “We had 750 rowers, a historic record. We have also welcomed a very large number of nations with 31 countries represented ", explains Jean-François Gourdon, President of the Société Nautique Monegasque, before adding" it is clear that sea rowing is at a turning point and no 'has nothing to do with what we knew before ”. A revolution that we owe first of all to the very high level of committed rowers, including many Olympic champions. The public was not mistaken since they came in droves to enjoy this sunny weekend.
A princely opening
If hostilities began on Thursday, it was Saturday that offered the most heated clashes. The day was also opened with a launch of a prestigious "eight", with, oar, HSH Prince Albert II or Jean-Christophe Rolland, the president of the International Federation of companies. rowing (FISA). In the wake of the princely boat, Monegasque rowers set out to try to repeat the exploits recorded in Peru. Despite a very good start, the double of Quentin Antognielli and Giuseppe Alberti (in opening photo), reigning world champions, paid dearly for a tiny mistake at the last buoy and had to settle for third place behind the Spaniards and Italians. The four barred Monegasque (Mathias Raymond, Gaëtan Delhon, Maxime Maillet, William Ader, helmed by Pierre Zervo), also crowned world champion in 2015, had to settle for an honorable fourth place. Despite everything, the six crews of the Société Nautique de Monaco do not have to be ashamed of their performances with four A finals, a B final and a bronze medal on the clock.
The action of the Monegasque Anti-Doping Committee
In order to ensure the fairness of the competition and the validity of the results, FISA and SNM appealed to the Monegasque Anti-Doping Committee, the National Anti-Doping Organization recognized as such by Monegasque regulations and by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The teams of the Chairman of the Committee Philippe Orengo (from left to right: Ms. Marie-Pierre FERRIOL (Escort), Ms. Andrea Alessio (Permanent Secretary of the CMA), Dr. Alain ALVADO (Sampling Doctor), Ms. Marie-Noëlle VERNAY (Nurse -Witness sample - Blood collection agent), Mr. Philippe Orengo (President of the CMA), Mr. Enzo FINO (Escort).) thus carried out, without incident, the mandatory checks and followed the WADA protocols.
