PRESS KIT 30 August - 6 September 2015. Lake Aiguebelette CONTENTS THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE 1. The World Rowing Championships 2. The concept 3. Attending the event 4. The Organising Committee 5. The rowing course 6. Temporary and permanent facilities 7. The environment NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROWING 8. Leading nations in international rowing 9. The French team LAKE AIGUEBELETTE AND ROWING 10. Aiguebelette in the annals of international rowing 11. Lake Aiguebelette and rowing 12. Rowing in Rhône-Alpes THE LEGACY OF ROWING 13. The legacy of the 2014 World Cup 14. A local development project 15. Tourism in Savoie Mont Blanc PARTNERS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION 16. Official partners 17. Official medias 18. Glossary 19. Practical information 2 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 201520152015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS – LAKE AIGUEBELETTE – PRESS FILE – JULY-AUGUST 2015 TESTIMONIALS Winning at the 1997 Worlds with Michel Andrieux is still a very special memory. Aiguebelette is my home and a win at home is always very spe- cial. As an administrator, I am sure the 2015 World Championships will be a sporting success, with the athletes enjoying exceptional and equitable conditions in their bids for Olympic qualification. We passed the test of the 2014 World Cup with flying colours and the Organising Committee has the expertise and experience to deliver a fantastic World Championships.” JEAN-CHRISTOPHE ROLLAND President of the International Rowing Federation This competition, now under the spotlight, is the fruit of many years’ work by local politicians and organisations. They have worked hard to ensure the event will be a great celebration of sport. In a word, a collective suc- cess. I hope this beautiful venue will be the setting for numerous records and accomplishments, so these World Championships become engraved in the history of sport and of Savoie. HERVÉ GAYMARD President of the Organising Committee of the 2015 World Rowing Championships Member of Parliament, President of Savoie Council President of the Assembly of the Pays de Savoie The world’s best rowers, almost 1,300 athletes representing 75 countries, will provide spectators and television viewers with outstanding moments that reflect the values of our sport: excellence, emotion, conviviality, res- pect, friendship and team spirit. I would like to welcome all the delegations that are coming to compete and thank all the athletes who will provide thril- ling racing in the unique natural setting of Lake Aiguebelette. JEAN-JACQUES MULOT President of the French Rowing Federation Vice-president of the Organising Committee of the 2015 World Rowing Championships Organizing a major sports event requires years of preparation, from drawing up the bid (with no guarantee of obtaining the event, as there can be only one winner!) to the 10-15 days of competition and the few hours needed to remove the temporary facilities once it is over. However, the impact of such events can continue long after the closing ceremony, so they must provide a legacy for future generations. This great event should arouse a feeling of pride and belonging in the people of Savoie, while ensuring they remain open to the world. It is an outstanding oppor- tunity to bring together people from widely different horizons. RÉMY CHARMETANT President of the Executive Committee for the 2015 World Rowing Championships 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS – LAKE AIGUEBELETTE – PRESS2015 FILE WORLD – JULY-AUGUST ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS2015 – LAKE AIGUEBELETTE3 – PRESS KIT – JULY-AUGUST 2015 3 THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE 4 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 THE WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS FROM 1997 TO 2015 Bled, Slovenia. Monday 5 September 2011. The verdict falls. FISA’s Congress votes by a very large majority to award the 2015 World Cham- pionships to Aiguebelette. This event will be even more important than the first World Championships hosted by Aiguebelette 18 years ago, in 1997, as they will be a qualifying competition for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The vote was won thanks to the hard work of a dedicated team that included key players such as Savoie Council, Rhône-Alpes Regional Council, the FFA and Jean-Claude Killy, who contributed greatly to the bid. Combining an outstanding venue with a solid budget and long-stan- ding experience in organising major sports events, Aiguebelette’s bid won 110 of the 143 votes cast by FISA’s members. The Organising Com- mittee will honour the trust placed in it by hosting an unforgettable World Championships. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 2015 EDITION The World Rowing Championships have been held every year since 1962, when the first edition took place in the Swiss city of Lucerne. It is the main objective of all rowing nations, which compete against each other throughout the season over the three legs of the World Cup and at conti- nental championships and international regattas. In this pre-Olympic year, the World Championships will be used to attribute places at the Rio Olympics in 2016, according to a quota system set up for the 1996 Atlanta Games. Depending on the different category of boat, between five and thirteen places for Rio 2016 will be attributed, with the remaining places in the Olympic fleet awarded at an international qualifying regatta in the spring of 2016. 2 14 1,300 THIS IS ONLY THERE ARE ATHLETES. THE SECOND TIME 14 DISCIPLINES FROM 75 NATIONS FRANCE HAS HOSTED ON THE OLYMPIC PROGRAM WILL COMPETE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. (8 FOR MEN, 6 FOR WOMEN). IN 450 BOATS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, AT AIGUEBELETTE, ALSO AT AIGUEBELETTE, THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE FRANCE WAS 4th SIX OTHER DISCIPLINES, IN THE MEDALS TABLE, SO 27 WORLD TITLES WINNING 2 GOLDS WILL BE AWARDED, AND 3 SILVERS. INCLUDING ADAPTIVE ROWING.. Did you know? The current distance for adaptive rowing races is 1,000 metres. However, at the early-season Sydney International Regatta, trials were held over a 2,000-m course to assess whether disabled athletes should race over the same distance as able-bodied rowers. 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 5 THE CONCEPT A CELEBRATION OF SPORT, COUNTRY FETES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE Memories of the superb World Championships held on the waters of Ai- guebelette in 1997 have remained sharp, so it is very important for the Organising Committee to do even better this time… especially now that the 2014 World Cup has rekindled the flame. A triple celebration: As well as celebrating sport by giving top-class ath- letes the chance to compete on a magnificent natural lake, the event will celebrate both the joyous, pastoral spirit of France’s lakeside fetes and the beauty of the countryside, with the magnificent landscape of Aiguebelette providing a superb backdrop to the competition and its associated events. The great star of late summer in Savoie Mont Blanc will be the emerald waters of Lake Aiguebelette, as they host an historic, dazzling and exci- ting sports event that should not be missed. THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ORGANISING COMMITTEE THE OPENING CEREMONY: 29 AUGUST AT 5 PM, FREE ENTRY The event will begin with the Opening Ceremony at Le Sougey, where spectators will be able to enjoy a very festive parade of nations, set against the spectacular backdrop of the lake and surrounding hills. In the words of the organisers, “the lake will provide an unforgettable setting for this 50-minute opening ceremony, just as it will for the competitions it heralds.” Artistic director: Julian Boutin (Quatuor Béla, Le Varame de Prin- temps, Les Nuits d’Été) Writing, conception, staging: Vincent Martin (Cnie l’Acte Théâtral, La Belle Hélène, Ramdam !) Musical director: Laurent Célisse (Fédération Musicale de Savoie) Circus director: Éric Angelier/Arc-en-Cirque Technical director: Olivier Brie (Châlon dans la Rue, etc.) Illustration: Les Suisses Plonk&Replonk 3,000 SPECTATORS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY 255 MUSICIANS 200 SINGERS 49 ACTORS 6 PROFESSIONAL CIRCUS ARTISTS 6 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 ATTENDING THE EVENT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COMPETITION FORMAT The World Championships are now held over an entire week (from Sun- day 30 August to Sunday 6 September) and start with a series of qua- lifying rounds adapted to the number of competitors. The initial heats are followed by repechage races – a particularity of rowing that gives every competitor an extra chance of progressing to the next round – the quarter finals and semi finals. The finals begin on Friday. There are six boats in each race, with the best boats being placed in the middle lanes of the course. THE SPECTATOR EXPERIENCE There are two ways of enjoying this unique spectator experience: From the shores of the World Championships venue, which will also house the partner village, refreshment stands and numerous attrac- tions. A large screen on the edge of the lake will allow spectators to follow the races in their entirety. From the 2,500-seat grandstand, situated directly opposite the fini- sh line and victory pontoon, and equipped with another large screen. Access to ticketholders only. Tickets can be obtained from: wrch2015.com/en/spectators/ticketing/ PRACTICAL INFORMATION DATES TO REMEMBER 17 August PUBLIC TRANSPORT Work starts to install Shuttle bus services from Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains to the World the temporary facilities Championships venue. at the Rowing Centre CAR PARKS and the Pré Argent beach. Access restricted Free car parks for visitors. Free shuttle buses to the Pré Argent beach to contractors and throughout the day. Organising Committee SPECTATORS members. Free access to the Pré Argent beach and the partner village.