More than 1,000 competitors set for regatta

SA Men’s national team to take part in historic event

DOWN THE RIVER: The 133rd RMB Buffalo Regatta takes place from February 13 to 15 in East London Picture: BRUCE VIAENE

The East London Boating Association will host the 133rd RMB Buffalo Regatta in East London from February 13 to 15.

ELBA chairperson Jacques Buchner said he believed there was a huge local economic benefit as a result of hosting the regatta.

“We ’re very fortunate to have the support of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation [ECDC] and the department of sport, recreation, arts & culture [Dsrac], who are committed to promoting the EC as a destination of choice for both investment and the hosting of major sporting events,” Buchner said.

The SA Men’s national rowing team will take part in the historic race in the Grand Challenge, the men’s pairs and the Silver Sculls.

The squad includes Rio Olympians Lawrence Brittain, Jake Green and David Hunt.

The racing will add to the selection data being collected by the coaches to select a men’s pair and a men’s four for the upcoming Tokyo Games.

The men’s pair is the only boat to have qualified for the games thus far, while the men’s four and a women’s lightweight double hope to qualify through the late qualification regatta in Luzern in May 2020.

Two of the events, the Silver Sculls for senior A single sculls and Grand Challenge for senior A coxless fours, are highly coveted races that every oarsman aspires to win.

The Buffalo Regatta has evolved from a single-morning event hosting a dozen races, to a three-day challenge with more than 1,000 competitors and 200 events.

The rowing events consists of six-lane sprint racing over 1,000m and 2,000m. Competitors from rowing universities, clubs and schools across SA are set to take part.

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