Organizers Assessing Impact To 2017 World Rowing Championships Venue

SARASOTA, FL – For the first time in more than 20 years, the United States is playing host to the World Rowing Championships from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1. While Hurricane Irma may have put a damper on some of the pre-event proceedings, organizers are working to make sure the international competition goes off without a hitch.

Organizers began a complete assessment of Hurricane Irma’s impact on Monday, Sept. 11. The organizing committee said because the Sarasota/Bradenton area did not take a direct hit from the storm, damage appears to be limited at the World Rowing Championships venue, Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

However, the area surrounding Nathan Benderson Park is still under movement restrictions imposed by local authorities until all services are restored and area roadway damage is cleared.

Also See: Florida Governor, A Long Road To Recovery After Irma

“The 2017 World Rowing Championships staff is working diligently along with the support of FISA and USRowing to ensure a safe and successful World Championships,” event organizers said in a statement released on Facebook Monday night.

In the days leading up to Hurricane Irma’s arrival in the southern Tampa Bay area, organizers said they stayed in contact with Sarasota County Emergency Mangement Department to help keep 2017 World Rowing Championship staff safe ahead of the storm.

On Thursday, Sept. 7, event organizers announced the venue buildout schedule was adjusted around weather forecasts and all planning for the 2017 World Rowing Championships was still on schedule. Organizers also said the manager of Athlete Services for the event was in constant contact with team managers for each team, providing weather updates and any possible changes in their arrival schedules.

Two days later, organizers reported in a release on Facebook that some delegates would not arrive on schedule for team training because of airport closures around Florida. Organizers were working to assist with travel arrangements.

“… we’d like to thank everyone for the overwhelming outpouring of support,” organizers said in their Sept. 9 release. “Your sentiments are truly appreciated.”

Event organizers are expected to release further updates in the next 24 to 48 hours. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/wrch2017/.

Caption: Sarasota County emergency personnel remove a tree from a road in the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 11.

Image via Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Facebook page