6 September 2015. Lake Aiguebelette CONTENTS

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

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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 special. 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 success. 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, respect, 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 opportunity 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

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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.

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 athletes 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 exciting 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

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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 qualifying 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 attractions. 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 finish 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. 26 August Opening of the press GRANDSTAND TICKETS centre at the World Tickets can be obtained from wrch2015.com/en/spectators/ticketing/, Championships venue. the Lake Aiguebelette Visitor Centre (from July) or directly from the World Championships venue (from 29 August). 29 August Official opening of FIND OUT MORE the World Championships www.aiguebelette2015.com or www.wrch2015.com venue.

Sunday 30 August: Heats

Monday 31 August: Heats

Tuesday 1 September: Repechages

Wednesday 2 September: Repechages and quarter-finals

Thursday 3 September: Semi-finals and adaptive finals

Friday 4 September: Semi-finals and finals

Saturday 5 September: Finals

Sunday 6 September: Finals

THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ORGANISING COMMITTEE 27 450 400 WORLD TITLES BOATS JOURNALISTS AWARDED IN COMPETITION AND MEDIA TECHNICIANS 32,000 SPECTATORS EXPECTED DURING THE EVENT

THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE

A NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION TO ORGANISE THE EVENT

The Organising Committee is a non-profit association with a General As- sembly, a Monitoring Committee and an Executive Committee. It is com- posed of staff from Savoie Council and the French Rowing Federation. Other stakeholders include the Association of Lake Aiguebelette Muni- cipal Councils (CCLA), the Assembly of the Pays de Savoie, Rhône-Alpes Regional Council and the National Council for Developing Sport (CNDS) President of the Organising Committee: Hervé Gaymard, president of Savoie Council and a member of parliament for Savoie. Vice-president: Jean-Jacques Mulot, president of the French Rowing Federation. President of the ten-person Executive Committee: Rémy Charmetant

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The Organising Committee was formed following FISA’s decision, taken in Bled (Slovenia) on 5 September 2011, to award the 2015 World Cham- pionships to Aiguebelette. It has taken four years to prepare the event. The company Algoe was appointed to monitor the organisation of the event, which involves 17 operational sectors: • Accommodation, • Media operations • Spectators delegation services • New facilities • Sport • Catering • Operations “Passeurs • Technology • Communication du Lac” local develop- • Traffic/parking • Crewmembers ment project • Transport • Environment • Safety • Marketing • Secretarial services

WHO ARE THE VOLUNTEERS?

We are all “volunteers”! The term was first used to refer to the volunteers and Organising Committee personnel responsible for organising the 1992 Albertville Olympics. The majority of the volunteers for Aiguebelette 2015 are men (62%) and in work (59%). 22% of volunteers are retired and 16% are students. Most are from Savoie and Haute-Savoie (71%), with a further 16% from the rest of Rhône-Alpes.

It is the volunteers that make the event possible. You are lucky to have been chosen to be volunteers, but the Organising Committee is even luckier in being able to count on you, as it is you who will make the event possible. Jean-Claude Killy

You are the first people accredited visitors and spectators see at an event. If everything runs smoothly, it will be thanks to you.” Jean-Christophe Rolland, president of FISA

FOCUS: 6 JUNE 2015, THE VOLUNTEERS GET TOGETHER AT THE ROWING CENTRE

1,100 300 volunteers involved in preparing and hosting the World Rowing APPLICATIONS Championships got together at the Aiguebelette “Départemental” RECEIVED Rowing Centre for a fun morning spent getting to know each other and being briefed by the Organising Committee. Several great champions, including Xavier and Bénédicte Dorfman, Edgar Grospiron, Perrine Pe- 600 len, Jean-Christophe Rolland and Jean-Claude Killy, shared their expe- VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEERS CHOSEN riences of major sports events..

A MORE SPECTACULAR FINISH AREA

After many years using the eastern shore of the lake for competitions, including the 1997 World Championships and 1990 World Junior Cham- pionships, the rowing course has been repositioned so it runs sou- theast-northwest. The new, 2,000-m course is well protected from the wind and has a more spectacular finish area in front of the Pré Argent beach, where spectators will have an unrivalled view of the final sprints. “We could feel the spectators’ support. It gave us goose bumps. I daren’t imagine what it will be like in 2015 for the Worlds.” So said Jérémie Azou after his victory with Stany Delayre in the lightweight double sculls at the 2014 World Cup, which provided a dress rehearsal for the new course ahead of the World Championships.

Did you know? Except in 2014 and 2015, rowing competitions on Lake Aiguebelette are restricted to 13 days per year. The rowing course (lane markers, start area) is set up and removed for events such as the Savoie Mont Blanc Interna- tional Regatta, held every spring. THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ORGANISING COMMITTEE

The new course is more exciting than the old one. There is a communion with the spectators in the last 500 m of the course. It’s magic. The World Cup allowed the athletes to discover Aiguebelette and everyone loved the setting.

Xavier Dorfman, 2000 Olympic champion in the lightweight coxless fours and member of the Organising Committee.

10 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT FACILITIES THE TIMING HUT

Lake Aiguebelette’s setting and the configuration of the lakeshore led Sa- voie Council to choose a small, integrated and multi-purpose building for the timing hut. When it is not being used for rowing competitions, Nova- laise council uses the building on the Pré Argent beach as a lifeguard and safety hut and a storage facility. Chambéry architect Emmanuel Ritz, who also worked on the restoration of the shores of Lake Bourget, designed the wood and stone hut to resemble the area’s traditional barns. It has a footprint of 63 m2.

The building was inspired by the barns built by local farmers and blends into the landscape of the beach. It can change its façade and be used for several purposes.

Emmanuel Ritz. architect

THE FINISH PONTOONS

The existing pontoon at the Chalet du Lac has been extended by 17 m. In addition to the main pontoon, a secondary pontoon with three platforms has been built. This layout allows the teams responsible for the pontoons to set up and remove the rowing course very quickly. The main pontoon has been designed to blend into the landscape (wood cladding) and to be available to users of the adjacent beach.

THE ALIGNER’S CABIN

A 9.50 m2 aligner’s cabin has been built on the eastern shore. It is similar in size and appearance to the anglers’ huts that dot the shores of the lake.

We are very happy with the quality of the installations and the way in which the lake environment has been respected. The Organising Com- mittee works well and efficiently. We can’t wait for June to see a superb World Cup.

Matt Smith. Executive Director of FISA

Did you know? The new rowing course was used for the first time during the weekend of 11 May 2014 for the Savoie Mont Blanc International Regatta, one of France’s most important rowing competitions.

PRESERVING QUALITY OF LIFE

The exceptional quality of Lake Aiguebelette’s setting and environment has been protected by law since 1935. The original protection measures have regularly been updated and reinforced, with the most recent addition being the creation of the Lake Aiguebelette Regional Nature Reserve. Rowers, like all the lake’s users, have long been aware of the need to protect this outstanding environment. A contract between the national government, Rhône-Alpes Regional Council, Savoie Council and the municipalities around the lake, drawn up during preparations for the 1997 World Championships, focuses on water quality and air quality. Environmental excellence is one of the intangible but strictly adhered to principles of the 2015 World Championships All the facilities and all the organisational processes have been designed to minimise their impact on the area’s day-to-day activities.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Did you know? Creation of the Lake Aigue- THE 2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ORGANISING COMMITTEE belette Regional Nature Re- serve (RNR) Reducing waste at source, avoiding wastefulness, protecting water re- Lake Aiguebelette was listed sources, facilitating low-impact transport, car-pooling and recycling are as a Regional Nature Reserve just some of the environmental protection measures that were included in on 6 March 2015. This status, which will last for ten years, Aiguebelette’s bid in order to protect the countryside and the living envi- will increase the resources ronment enjoyed by local people. available to protect the area’s exceptional natural heritage. The EMS for Aiguebelette includes 14 objectives that will be met through Savoie Council and the Orga- 54 actions. Here are just two concrete examples: nising Committee are actively Installing around 50 temporary dry toilets will save 6-10 litres of water working on a management for each of the 25,000 people expected to attend the event. plan and monitoring system that will be run by rangers Setting up “sorting bars” in the accredited restaurant will help effec- from the National Forestry De- tively sort waste and raise awareness of good waste sorting practices partment (ONF). A partnership among visitors from all 75 participating countries. is being set up between several bodies, including Rhô- All these actions will be evaluated during the World Championships in or- ne-Alpes Regional Council, der to provide future event organisers with a report containing concrete the CCLA, the ONF, Savoie Council and local associations suggestions. (AAPPMA and FAPLA). The Organising Committee has twin ambitions: to organise a World Cham- pionships in symbiosis with the exceptional site of Lake Aiguebelette and to gain the participation of everyone - organiser, athlete or spectator - in order to produce a truly environmentally responsible event. Alix Duhamel. Savoie Council Environment Department

A FEW DATES

1935 1990 2001 2011 Addition of the lake to the inven- Biotope Protection Order for Areas of special ecological, Pile-dwelling sites added tory of “natural sites”. Lake Aiguebelette (APPB), re- floral and faunal interest I and II to the UNESCO World 1976 vised in 2011 (area: 110 hectares) (ZNIEFF). Heritage list. Motorboats banned from the 1999/2005 Natura 2000 site (wetland, 2015 lake. First “Lake Aiguebelette grassland, bracken, scrub, Creation of the Lake Aiguebe- 1983 Catchment Contract” woodland and cliff network). lette Regional Nature Reserve (€8.5 million), followed by (area: 1,000 hectares). Listing as a “Designated Deve- 2005 lopment Area” (ZAD), revised in a second contract, for Guiers- Savoie Inventory of Wetlands. 2010. Aiguebelette, for 2012-2018.

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A FEW DATES

AN AMBITIOUS FRENCH TEAM

Rowing has always been a forte of English-speaking countries - “his- toire oblige”. Great Britain has been a dominant force in the sport since its inception, closely followed by New Zealand (leading nation at the 2014 World Championships), Australia, the United States, Canada and Germany, the other great rowing power in Western Europe. France has always followed in the wake of these major nations. Countries from the former Eastern Bloc (Poland, Russia, Czech Republic) also have a long tradition of top-class rowing. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROWING AND INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL

I had heard a lot about Aiguebelette, long before the World Cup, and I wasn’t disappointed when I came here. The countryside around the rowing course is magnificent. I have great memories of the World Cup at Aiguebelette and we are going to go back to France this year hoping to become World Champions.

Philipp Wende (Germany), 2012 Olympic champion in the men’s quadruple sculls.

I really enjoyed my experience at the Aiguebelette World Cup event, which was my first ever trip to France. Aiguebelette really is a beautiful place. This year, for the World Championships, I hope to do even better than last year. The hardest thing will be to get used to the climate and the food and to get over the jetlag before the competition, but I have managed to do that in the past.

Angel Fournier Rodriguez (Cuba), bronze medallist at the 2014 World Championships and winner of the World Cup in the men’s single sculls 3 75 1,300 THE NUMBER OF MEDALS WON BY FRANCE NATIONS ATHLETES AT THE 2014 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE EXPECTED FROM 75 NATIONS IN AMSTERDAM. AT THE WORLD WILL COMPETE IN 450 BOATS. “LES BLEUS” WON SILVER CHAMPIONSHIPS. IN THE LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S PAIRS, LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S DOUBLE SCULLS AND ADAPTIVE MIXED DOUBLE SCULLS.

Did you know? FISA is the oldest federation in the Olympic Movement.

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EVERTHING IS POSSIBLE

The Aiguebelette World Championships are the highlight of the international season and the FFA’s top priority for 2015. Although the French team has not yet been finalised, the leading lights of French rowing are unlikely to be overlooked.

MEN (OPEN) THE FRENCH EIGHT (M8+) MEN’S COXLESS PAIRS (M2-) This crew has seen several changes Silver medallists at both the 2012 Lon- in its line up since it was put together don Olympics and the 2013 Chungju three years ago, but the French (South Korea) World Championships, team’s flagship boat now seems to Germain Chardin and Dorian Morte- have settled down and found its mark lette command respect. Their outs- at international regattas. The FFA’s tanding performances have already openly stated ambition is to reach ensured them places in the Pantheon the podium at Aiguebelette and at the of French rowing. Both stepped down 2016 Rio Olympics. from the eights team to try their hand at the coxless pairs and have never looked back. They are aiming for another Olympic medal in 2016.

MEN (LIGHTWEIGHT) LIGHTWEIGHT DOUBLE SCULLS (LM2X) LIGHTWEIGHT COXLESS FOURS Don’t be fooled by Jérémie Azou’s Third in the 2013 and 2014 European (26 years old) and Stany Delayre’s Championships, the lightweight (27 years old) youthfulness, they coxless fours boat is starting to beco- already have a wealth of experience. me a fixture on international podiums. After recovering from a serious inju- France’s new crew in this event ry sustained during training in 2013, (Franck Solforosi, the oldest member Stany Delayre has made a spec- of France’s lightweight rowing team, tacular comeback. The pair were Guillaume Raineau, Thomas Baroukh unbeaten in 2014, right up until the and the young Thibault Colard) seems World Championships, when the gold to be stronger than ever. Franck Sol- medal slipped out of their grasp for a forosi agrees, saying, “We have faith mere 9-hundredths of a second. This in our ability”. A promising sign for the year, it is all out for gold. summer.

We were delighted with the 2014 World Cup at Aiguebelette: it is a superb and very equitable course in a beautiful setting. Competing in front of family and friends adds a lot to the challenge and gives it a particular atmosphere. We are, of course, very happy to have won gold at the World Cup last year and this year we are hoping to do even better. Our dream is to hear the Marseillaise in front of a French crowd and qualify for the Olympic Games. Jérémie Azou

20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 15 WOMEN COXLESS PAIRS Noémie Kober and Marie Le Nepvou, uncontested French champions in the coxless pairs, are starting to make an impact on the international scene. As part of a French women’s team that has been completely rebuilt around young talent since the London Olympics, Noémie and Marie are snapping at the heels of rowing’s leading nations, finishing fourth in the last European Championships.

I took part in last year’s World Cup in the coxless fours. It was really great. All the countries were de- NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROWING AND INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL lighted. This year I will almost certainly be competing in the coxless pairs with Marie and we have to be in the top 11 to qualify for the Olympics, which is our objective for the season. Noémie Kober

After last year’s experience, we know the World Championships will be very well organised. We know the volunteers and the spectators; it is the whole rowing family that will be there. We are extremely proud to be representing France in front of our families and friends. Marie Le Nepvou

ADAPTIVE TA MIXED DOUBLE SCULLS (TAMIX2X) Perle Bouge and Stéphane Tarideu have a very special place in French rowing, having competed in every World Championships since they first dip- ped their oars in the water at the beginning of 2010. Their crowning achievement was reaching the 2012 Paralympics in London. On every occasion the two rowers have made it to the podium, always on the second step. They are determined to rise to the very top at Aiguebelette.

The 2015 World Championships at Aiguebelette are triply important for the federation. First, we are heart-set on providing a very high quality World Championships that reflect the values of our sport and that will remain etched in people’s memories. I know we can count on the Organising Committee and the 600 volunteers to meet this challenge. Olympic qualification, which will be largely decided at these World Championships, is our second, more strategic focus. A third, purely sporting objective is to ensure our crews win as many medals as possible. I am confident in our rowers’ ability to surpass themselves in front of their home crowd. Our goal is straightforward: to win five medals, including two golds, at the 2015 World Championships and to have as many French crews as possible qualify for the 2016 Olympics. After our single medal at the London Games, a superb performance by the men’s coxless pairs, the aim is to win three medals at Rio, including one gold, and one in the coxed eights, the flagship boat of the French team. For the Paralympics, the aim is to double our medals tally from London. The mixed double sculls crew, who won silver at London (the only medal), have a great chance of repeating or even bettering this performance. It is an ambitious challenge for French rowing, but one the French team is ready to take up, supported by the whole federation and, I hope, the entire population.

Patrick Ranvier, National Technical Director for the French Rowing Federation.

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THE OLYMPIC QUALIFYING SYSTEM

The 2015 World Championships at Aiguebelette will be the first stage in the qualifying process for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This competition will allow a certain number of boats (and not rowers - countries are free to change the composition of crews for the Olympics) to qualify directly for the Olympics.

2015 WORLD QUALIFICATION CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFICATION TOTAL QUOTA QUOTAS AIGUEBELETTE REGATTAS

M1X/W1X 9 20 29 M2- 11 2 13 M2X/W2X 11 2 13 M4- 11 2 13 M4X 8 2 10 M8+/W8+ 5 2 7 LM2X/LW2X 11 9 20 LM4- 11 2 13 W2- 9 4 15 W4X 5 2 7

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STARS OF INTERNATIONAL ROWING

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE ROLLAND Originally from the nearby city of Lyon, Jean-Christophe Rolland feels completely at home at Aiguebelette, where he attended innumerable training camps and rowed hundreds of kilometres before achieving glory. After competing in his first major competition at the 1987 Seniors Match (now the Under-23s World Championships), the new head of world rowing gradually rose through the ranks of international rowing. Jean-Christophe and his long-time partner, Michel Andrieux, won Olympic bronze in the coxless pairs in 1996 before going on to become World Champions the following year, in front of Jean-Christophe’s home crowd and family. For him it remains “an incredible memory”, as well as the launch pad to the crowning achievement of his career - Olympic gold at Sydney in 2000.

STEVE REDGRAVE

Steve Redgrave has won everything, including gold medals at five succes- sive Olympic Games between 1984 and 2000. He has even been granted a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth. As a result, Sir Steve was the figurehead of the British fleet and already a living legend by the time he competed in the 1997 World Championships. After dominating the coxless pairs with Mathew Pinsent for so many years, he had moved into the coxless fours, where his power and experience helped the British boat hold off a powerful challenge from the outstanding French crew. Redgrave and his partners wore black armbands in memory of Princess Diana, who died during the Aiguebelette World Championships.

XAVIER ET BÉNÉDICTE DORFMAN Xavier and Bénédicte are a truly golden couple. They moved from Gre- noble to Aiguebelette in 1999, buying a home overlooking the lake and starting a family. Here, these dynamic club members, coaches and educators found ideal conditions in which to training and ensure they stayed at the highest level. Both won silver medals at their home World Championships, Xavier in the lightweight coxless fours, Bénédicte in the lightweight single sculls. This shared success made the event even more special for both of them. Xavier continued his ascent to win gold at the 2000 Olympics and 2001 Worlds. He now owns a garage near Chambéry but continues to be an active member of the 2015 Organising Committee. “Béné” continues to work at the “Départemental” Rowing Centre, where she can often been seen rowing on the lake.

ÉRIC MURRAY ET HAMISH BOND These new leading lights in world rowing are as big stars in their native New Zealand as the All Blacks rugby team. Hamish Bond and Eric Murray decided to team up in 2009, following the Beijing Olympics. Since then, New Zealand’s dynamic duo have dominated the coxless pairs and are unbeaten in the more than 50 competitions in which they have competed. They again demonstrated their impressive technique and power at the World Cup in June 2014 – Bond was even able to take one hand off his oar and dip it in the water while they were racing. After the Aiguebelette World Cup stage, which they particularly enjoyed for both the course and the setting (cycling up to the Col du Chat to stretch their legs), Murray and Bond were on top form for the Worlds, where they won gold in both the coxless pairs and the pairs.

20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 19 AMERICA’S WOMEN’S EIGHT In America, everyone rows in eights. It is the flagship discipline for both men and women. At Aiguebelette, en-route for a new world title at Ams- terdam, the American women’s team once again demonstrated their su- periority by beating their eternal rivals, the Canadians and British. As ever, they were led to victory by double Olympic champion (Beijing and London) Caroline Lind. LAKE AIGUEBELETTE AND ROWING

BRITAIN’S ADAPTIVE COXED FOURS Great Britain also sets the standard in adaptive rowing, so it was no sur- prise when the British team made its mark on the 2014 World Cup. In the mixed coxed fours event, the British boat followed up their victories at their home Olympics in 2012 and at the 2013 Worlds by overwhelming the competition at Aiguebelette in 2014.

LAKE AIGUEBELETTE AND ROWING

A LONG HISTORY

Aiguebelette is a true jewel in Savoie’s crown, so special efforts have been made to protect the lake and its surroundings. In order to preserve the beauty of its 545 hectares of warm (26°C in summer), still waters, the facilities needed for the international rowing competitions in 2014 and 2015 are all removable or multi-purpose and blend harmoniously into the landscape. Aiguebelette, which lies 360 m above sea level, is France’s third largest natural lake and provides drinking water for 14 neighbouring municipalities, which consume 700,000 m3 of water every year. It is extracted from a depth of 25 metres and is untreated except for chlorination. Numerous conservation measures have been introduced to protect this valuable water resource.

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The 30th edition of this international regatta, organised by Savoie Rowing Committee, took place on the new rowing course on 9 and 10 May 2015. It attracted more than 1,200 athletes from 73 clubs from France and around the world. Both the rowers and the spectators greatly appre- ciated the proximity of the boat park and the finish area, as it facilitated operations for the teams and gave even more spectacular views of the racing.

The Aiguebelette Club In recent years, Olympic champion Xavier Dorfman has used his posi- tion as the club’s sports director to share his passion and experience with young rowers.

Did you know? The lake is privately owned by EDF and the Chambost family, but is managed by the Lake Aiguebelette Association of Municipal Councils. In 1980, the Public-Private Union for the Development of Lake Aiguebelette began work to build a new Rowing Centre, which was inaugurated in 1985. It has been home to the Lake Aiguebelette rowing club since 1987. The Rowing Centre is owned by Savoie Council, which has also run the centre since 1 January 2014.

A FEW DATES

LATE 19th CENTURY 2000 Lyon’s high society comes to Aiguebelette to go Xavier Dorfman, a member of Lake Aiguebelette boating on the still, clear waters. rowing club, wins Olympic gold.

EARLY 20th CENTURY 2009 The sport of rowing is introduced to the lake, en- Savoie Council and the French Rowing Federation couraged by the Countess of Chambost. bid to host the 2015 World Championships.

1980 5 SEPTEMBER 2011 The Public-Private Union for the Development At Bled (Slovenia), Aiguebelette is chosen to host of Lake Aiguebelette begins work on a Rowing the 2015 World Championships and the second leg Centre, which is inaugurated in 1985. of the 2014 World Cup.

1987 10 AND 11 MAY 2014 The Rowing Centre becomes the permanent home The new rowing course is inaugurated at the Sa- of Lake Aiguebelette rowing club. voie Mont Blanc International Regatta.

1990 20 TO 22 JUNE 2014 World Junior Championships held at Aiguebelette. Second leg of the 2014 World Cup at Aiguebelette.

1997 World Rowing Championships held at Aiguebelette.

2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS – LAKE AIGUEBELETTE – PRESS FILE – JULY-AUGUST 2015 20152015 WORLDWORLD ROWINGROWING CHAMPIONSHIPSCHAMPIONSHIPS –– LAKELAKE AIGUEBELETTEAIGUEBELETTE –– PRESSPRESS FILEKIT –– JULY-AUGUSTJULY-AUGUST 20152015 21 ROWING IN RHÔNE-ALPES

A REGION MADE FOR ROWING

With its lakes and rivers, Rhône-Alpes is a wonderful region for rowing. The Rhône-Alpes Rowing League, presided by Daniel Pedrinis, was formed by the merger of the Dauphiné-Savoie Rowing League and the Lyon Rowing League. Today, it is one of France’s biggest rowing leagues, with 10,000 members and 47 clubs in the Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Ain, Isère, Drôme, Ardèche, Rhône and Loire “départements”. As well as achieving excellent results in national competitions in all age categories, it caters for every form of rowing, from schools rowing to leisure rowing and tour rowing. LAKE AIGUEBELETTE AND ROWING www.aviron-rhone-alpes.com

SAVOIE AND HAUTE-SAVOIE ROWING COMMITTEES

HAUTE-SAVOIE

President: Claude Jacquier 1,200 members Clubs: Annecy-le-Vieux, Talloires, Sevrier, Thonon, Évian, Léman, Excenevex et Sciez. www.avironcdsa74.com

SAVOIE

President: Gérard Choulet 800 members Clubs: Chambéry-Le Bourget, Aix-les-Bains et Aiguebelette. [email protected]

HOME-GROWN CHAMPIONS

A year before the Rio Olympics, our local champions have the opportunity to shine at home. The French team includes several rowers from Rhô- ne-Alpes, including Noémie Kober, Édouard Jonville and Laura Tarantola. Annecy is represented by another tried and tested member of “Les Bleus”, Benoit Demey, while Franck Solforosi and Augustin Mouterde, from Lyon, 14 are hoping for a podium finish. The up-and-coming generation is repre- NO FEWER THAN 14 ROWERS FROM RHÔNE-ALPES sented by Daphné Socha, from Évian, and Éléonore Dubuis, from Lyon. Ju- HAVE WON OLYMPIC MEDALS, lie Maréchal, who came fourth in her home World Cup in 2014, is nursing a FROM ÉMILE WEGELIN IN 1900 TO JONATHAN COEFFIC IN 2008. back injury, but hopes to be fit again in time for the Worlds.

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The 2014 World Cup was the first major rowing event to be held on Lake Aiguebelette since the 1997 World Championships. It was an unqualified success for everyone involved and the organisers received fulsome praise from the presidents of FISA and the FFA, the athletes, delegations, media and spectators. In addition, Aiguebelette 2014 allowed the 379 volunteers involved to perfect their roles prior to the World Championships.

THE LEGACY OF ROWING FACTS AND FIGURES

• 45 nations • 682 athletes • 2,000 accredited visitors, (including 1,200 “sport” accreditations, 145 media accreditations, 404 members of the OC and 260 guests) • 22 journalists from France and 23 journalists from abroad • 379 volunteers (128 women, 251 men) • 5,500 spectators over the three days of racing • 4,515 meals served in 5 days, including 2,263 for the sports delegations • 19 nations transported • 38 delegations + FISA/FFA officials accommodated through the OC. Accommodation provided for 1,534 accredited visitors, 5,540 bed nights booked; 9 delegations organised their own accommodation.

COMMUNICATION REPORT

• Distribution of 3,000 official programs, 8,600 posters, 200 team-leader guides and 25,000 results sheets. • 22,000 pages visited on the aiguebelette2015.com website. • 45,900 clicks on Facebook pages • 195 tweets, 154 subscribers (+227%), 14,697 accounts reached with #aiguebelette2014, 20,086 impressions. 16,612 accounts reached with @aviron2015, 20,613 impressions.

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• France Ô: 1 hr 15 min live coverage on the Sunday • France 3: 1 hr live coverage on national television on the Sunday + one 2-min national news report and two 2-min regional news reports + one 3-min live report on France 3 Rhône-Alpes. • 8 Mont Blanc: 55-min live coverage [with two repeats] • 20 articles in the Dauphiné Libéré • 3 articles in l’Équipe • Articles in Progrès, Mag Aviron, L’Est Républicain • Live reports on France Bleu radio

Did you know? France 3’s TV broadcast was the 4th most tweeted program in France after the three World Cup football matches on Sunday 22 June.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WASTE MANAGEMENT REPORT

• 4.3 tonnes of waste produced, 2.2 tonnes of which was recyclable (51%): 0.460 tonnes of cardboard, 0.8 tonnes of fermentable waste, 0.4 tonnes of glass, 0.3 tonnes of paper, 0.2 tonnes of recyclable packaging. • 138 recycling containers at 114 collection points.

The great advantage of Aiguebelette is that it is sheltered from the wind; therefore, the course guarantees equitable rowing conditions for all the athletes in what is an important qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. In fact, all the teams who were here for the World Cup event last June said how enjoyable it was to row on the lake. But organisers must always stay humble… This beautiful, protected natural lake is also very compact, which is one of the challenges facing the Organising Committee.

Rémy Charmetant, executive president of the Organising Committee for the 2014 World Cup and 2015 World Championships

“PASSEURS DE LAC”

Without waiting for the World Rowing Championships, numerous initiatives and projects within the Lake Aiguebelette area have been set up in conjunction with Savoie Council, the CCLA and the Organising Committee. In addition to the preparations for the sports event, the different development projects put together by local associations, the tourism sector, local and “départemental” organisations and educational establishments have THE LEGACY OF ROWING now been given a name: “Passeurs de lac”. Together, they will ensure the legacy of the World Championships and give the area a new dynamic. A brochure and a website provide details of these projects in the form of 35 action sheets and regular articles. http://passeursdelac.111media.fr/

The purpose of the local development project for Lake Aiguebelette and its surrounding area is to look beyond the World Championships. This is also the case for Savoie Council’s policy of supporting major sports competitions, whose objective is to promote the overall attractiveness of Savoie, as well as to deliver world-class events. This is why the World Championships, from their conception to their production, have brought together the local authorities, businesses and local associations within a consultation committee that guarantees a balance between all the lake’s stakeholders.

Hervé Gaymard, president of Savoie Council and president of the Aiguebelette 2015 World Championships Organising Committee 15 15 15 MONTHS’ DAYS YEARS WORK OF CELEBRATION OF LEGACY

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SPOTLIGHT ON TOURISM AROUND LAKE AIGUEBELETTE AND THE GREAT LAKES OF SAVOIE MONT BLANC

Over the years, Savoie Mont Blanc has gained an international reputation as a first-class holiday destination. In part, this has been achieved by hos- Did you know? ting major sports events. For a few days, the World Rowing Championship Savoie Mont Blanc = will enable the whole world to discover the Lake Aiguebelette area, the- Savoie + Haute-Savoie reby boosting tourism and showing off one of the most beautiful corners • 599 municipalities of Savoie Mont Blanc. • Highest point: Mont Blanc 4,810 m Lakes Aiguebelette, Bourget, Annecy and Geneva… the four great lakes • 4 large lakes: Geneva, Annecy, Bourget, of the French Alps are some of Savoie’s and Haute-Savoie’s greatest tou- Aiguebelette rist attractions in spring, summer and autumn. Given the ever-growing • Vanoise National Park competition in the tourism market, it is essential to vigorously promote (created in 1963) these areas during these seasons. Savoie and Haute-Savoie are mar- + 2 Regional Parks ket leaders in winter tourism, but this is not the case the rest of the year. + 16 nature reserves Consequently, and as more and more summer tourists are turning their + 2 UNESCO Geoparks (Bauges, Chablais) backs on the mountains and heading to the seaside, the World Cham- • Tourist capacity: pionships is an excellent opportunity for attracting holidaymakers to the 1.3 million tourist beds lakes. Every visitor survey that has been carried out shows that water is • Annual tourist numbers: an essential attraction for holidaymakers. 68.1 million bed nights • Foreign visitors from 4 main Chambéry, Aix-les-Bains, Lakes Aiguebelette and Bourget, the Bauges countries: GB, NL, B, CH and the Chartreuse. • 48,161 salaried tourism jobs This area has an excellent tourism dynamic, as the data collected for the • 7 spa towns Savoie Mont Blanc tourism monitor show. • 11 casinos • 14 congress destinations Find out more: http://pro.savoie-mont-blanc.com/Observatoire

CHARACTERISTICS WEALTH CREATED BY TOURISM KEY FIGURES FOR TOURISM IN 2014

• 1 586 km2 • € 161 million (2011), • 44,000 bed nights in the area’s • 263,430 inhabitants (INSEE 2011) 15% of Savoie’s tourism income. campsites (summer 2014). • 161 municipalities • 5,081 jobs linked to tourism (2013). • 420,000 recorded visits to beaches • 88,100 tourist beds with paid admission. (6% of tourist beds in Savoie/ • 65,000 visitors to Hautecombe Abbey, Haute-Savoie, 12% of tourist beds the area’s most popular tourist in Savoie), attraction. • 34,800 (40%) of which are commercial • 17,000 visitors to the caves at beds Les Échelles (St Christophe-la-Grotte). • 35% of commercial beds are in outdoor accommodation • 5,300 visitors to Louis Mandrin’s and 26% are in traditional hotels hideaway, one of the area’s ten (9,200 beds, 115 establishments). most popular museums.

2015 WORLD ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS – LAKE AIGUEBELETTE – PRESS KIT – JULY-AUGUST 2015 27 PARTNERS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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EDF

Partners of all uses of water As the operator of 622 hydroelectric dams in France, EDF, in consultation with local authorities, plays a key role in managing the country’s water resources and in protecting the aquatic environment. EDF’s motivation for becoming an official partner of Aiguebelette 2015 is to promote water sports while working with local stakeholders to ensure balance in the use and management of water resources. Water, the essential element for rowing, is also a 100% renewable and carbon-free energy source that EDF – France’s and Europe’s leading producer of hydroelectricity – manages for the benefit of its customers and local populations. In this respect, EDF shares the rowing commu- nity’s values of performance, solidarity and environmental protection. Lake Aiguebelette is a natural reservoir whose waters feed the hydroelectric plant at La Bridoire. EDF operates this plant in such a way as to respect the needs of the resource’s other users (local people, tourists, rowers, etc.) and protect the lake’s flora and fauna. La Bridoire produces enough electricity to supply a town of 6,000 people, such as Pontcharra.

MAIF

Sharing the values of rowing MAIF is a very different type of insurance company, as its members have been both the insured and the insurers for 80 years. What is more, we offer our members simple, transparent and comprehensive contracts covering every type of household and personal risk. MAIF has been a partner of the French Rowing Federation since 1991. Rowing, a sport with a long university tradition, helps develop the same human values as those prized by MAIF (solidarity, cohesion, rigour). As part of a multi-year agreement based on the Olympic calendar, MAIF helps promote all forms of rowing in France, from the grassroots to international levels (senior and junior French teams). Working in conjunction with the FFA, MAIF also organises the MAIF French Rowing Cup. In addition, and as part of its educational mission, MAIF supports initiatives to teach school students to row by contributing to the “Rame en 5e” (“Row in Year 8”) program, which recently culmi- nated at Aiguebelette, and through a tripartite partnership with the FFA and the National Union for School Sport. The annual climax of the series, the “Grand Challenge”, took place in June at Vichy. For the last 10 years, MAIF has run a rowing challenge for the company’s staff, so newcomers to rowing can crew beginners’ eights boats and thereby get a taste of the sport in a fun and friendly atmosphere. To date, more than 3,000 members of staff have taken part.

The motorway to the world championships Given the importance of its operations in the world’s leading winter sports destination and the wider Rhône-Alpes region, it was entirely natural for Area/Eiffage Group to partner the 2015 World Rowing Cham- pionships at Aiguebelette. Consequently, Area/Eiffage Group is carrying out a wide range of actions to support the event. What is more, the group’s central command post for the Rhône-Alpes motorway network (CESAR) and the local motorway radio station (FM 107.7 Autoroute INFO) are both less than a kilometre from Lake Aiguebelette and will be at the heart of the World Championships. To publicise this international event, a 250-m2 poster of the French eights boat has been fitted across the CE- SAR building, which is seen by 50,000 vehicles every day as they pass by Lake Aiguebelette on the A43 motorway. In addition, because AREA’s motorways are at the heart of the region, everything will be done to en- PARTNERS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARTNERS sure visitors, athletes and spectators can travel through the region as effortlessly and as safely as possible. AREA operates a 413-km network of motorways in Rhône-Alpes. It is a subsidiary of APRR, Europe’s fourth largest motorway operator.

Did you know? The poster of the French rowing team’s boat on the side of the CESAR building (AREA) beside the A43 covers an area of 250 m2 and is seen by 55,000 vehicles per day.

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EXTENSIVE MEDIA INTEREST IN THE COMPETITION

DAUPHINÉ LIBÉRÉ GROUP

The Dauphiné Libéré newspaper group covers the areas of North Isère, South Isère, Drôme-Ardèche, Vaucluse, Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Pay de Gex. It is France’s leading regional daily newspaper with sales of 240,000 copies per day and a readership of almost 1 million. The DL Group’s titles include a freesheet, Mag’ville, TV magazine, Version Femi- na, specialist magazines, mountain magazines, most notably Ski Chro- no, and tradeshow brochures. DL’s website receives 3.1 million hits per day. Hence, DL Group is an essential partner for promoting the World Championships within the region.

FRANCE TÉLÉVISION

France Télévision is responsible for producing television coverage of the World Championships and is the exclusive broadcaster of the event in France. As was demonstrated during the 2014 World Cup, which allowed the camera system to be tested along the new rowing course, France Télévision will produce breath-taking pictures of the event. Co- verage of the World Championships will be provided by 18 cameras, including one mounted on a drone, a super-slow motion camera on a tailing boat and 2 stabilised cameras on tracking boats. The television team will include around 70 technicians. All the sessions will be cove- red, with broadcasts split between France Ô and France 3.

RMC

RMC’s audience has grown constantly since 2001 and 4.33 million listeners (8.2% audience share – Mediametrie 2014) now tune into the station every day. The station provides 70 hours of sports programmi- ng every week, covering a full range of sports. Rowing is one of the sports RMC follows particularly closely, working in collaboration with the French team and the FFA. RMC’s coverage of Aiguebelette 2015 will include live and studio broadcasts.

DO YOU SPEAK ROWING?

Blade, stroke, bow, regatta… welcome to the world of rowing! Here is a brief introduction to some of the more technical jargon used by the oldest Olympic discipline.

A ROWING STROKE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING STAGES

• Catch: when the blade of the oar is placed in the water • Pull through: when the rower pulls on the oar(s) to propel the boat forward, straightening the legs and body in order to use the full range of the sliding seat. • Release: when the oar blade(s) is removed from the water • Recovery: when rowers move their bodies towards the bow of the boat to prepare the next stroke. PARTNERS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARTNERS

BLADE Flat or curved end of an oar. BOW Front end of the boat. COX Person who steers the boat, usually from a seat in the stern or lying down in the bow. REGATTA A series of rowing races. SCULL Each rower rows with two oars. SLIDING SEAT A seat fitted with wheels that slides along two tracks or sliders. STERN Rear end of the boat. STROKE The rower seated closest to the stern of the boat. SWEEP Each rower rows with a single oar.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOAT

The prefixesM and W indicate the sex of the rower(s). For national regattas, this is followed by the category of rower: J12 to J18 for juniors, S for seniors and M for masters. This prefix is followed by the number of rowers (1, 2, 4 or 8), combined with the letter X if it is a sculling boat (two oars per rower). The absence of an X indicates a sweep boat (one oar per rower). Finally, a + means the boat has a cox and a – means there is no cox.

http://wrch2015.com/en/competition/boats/

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FISA PARTNERS

WORLD ROWING AND WWF

PARTNERS FOR CLEAN WATER

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIAL MEDIAS

OFFICIAL HOST CITIES

ITS OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

ACCOMMODATION Most press accommodation will be in Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains, both of which are less than 30 minutes from Lake Aiguebelette. With numerous restaurants, shops, markets, cinemas, museums, theatres and casinos, and quick and easy access to spectacular countryside, these lively cities are great places in which to rest and relax during your stay in Savoie Mont Blanc.

2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS www.wrch2015.com/medias/accreditations

THE 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE WEB www.aiguebelette2015.com FISA www.worldrowing.com FFA www.avironfrance.asso.fr

CLAUDIE BLANC-EBERHART Communication coordinator/Media operations [email protected] + 33 (0)4 79 85 69 68 / + 33 (0)6 75 22 66 66 PARTNERS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION PARTNERS YANNICK BERSOT FFA Communication [email protected] + 33(0)1 45 14 26 56 / + 33(0)6 61 91 68 23 AUDREY TORT National press [email protected] + 33(0)6 34 18 66 54 YVES PERRET Press operations manager [email protected] + 33 (0)6 07 31 62 72 / + 33 (0)4 76 44 02 57 FRANCIS BOMPARD Photography manager [email protected] + 33 (0)6 08 64 97 99 OLIVIER BONIN Communication officer [email protected] + 33 (0)4 79 85 92 12

Aviron Aiguebelette 2015 Aiguebelette 2015 Aviron_Aiguebelette_2015 Aiguebelette Rowing Centre: www.aviron-lac-aiguebelette.com Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme: www.savoie-mont-blanc.com wrch2015.com Design, production: Agence Zoom July 2015

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