Decision soon on 1978 rowing

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33928, 22 August 1975, Page 20

Decision soon on 1978 rowing

(From ROBERT HORROCKS, N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent.)

New Zealand’s bid to hold the 1978 world rowing championships at Lake Karapiro will be decided in Nottingham on Monday, and the organiser-designate, Mr Cyril Hilliard, of Auckland, believes the application will not be opposed.

Mr Hilliard said: “I’ve heard nothing here to suggest that anyone else will be applying. I’m confident that the championships will be given to us.” But he admitted to a “lingering doubt” about the likely impact on their success should a proposal — first suggested in Lucerne during last year’s championships — to also hold a European championship in 1978, be proceeded with.

“A number of countries promised to cotne to New Zealand if we are. awarded the championships, but the idea to hold a European contest in the same year might keep some of them away,” he said.

But even should a European contest be held, Mr Hilliard believes it would take just one of the leading Communist rowing nations to support a world championship in New Zealand to get the others interested. And at Lucerne last year the East Germans — the world’s top rowers — indicated they would want to come.

New Zealanders at the meeting on Monday will include the president of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, Mr Don Rowlands, and Mr Hilliard. Mr Rowlands is one of

five Continental delegates to the F.I.S.A. executive, and is expected to be chairman of the organising committee for the 1978 championships if they are in New Zealand.

RECEPTION On Sunday evening the New Zealanders will hold a reception for more than 200 guests, at • which material publicising the application will be available. The New Zealand High Commissioner in Britain (Mr Hugh Watt) is understood to be interrupting his holiday to attend. Mr Hilliard said it was proposed to hold the championships in late October and early November, with the women’s finals on November 4 and the men’s on November 5.