Rowers and fans of rowing, take note… details have been revealed for this year’s newly revamped Prince Albert II Challenge, and the focus has switched from regional to international racers, thus drawing the best from around the globe.
President Jean-Marc Giraldi made the announcement in the VIP Lounge of the Water Company, saying that the event, scheduled for 29th and 30th November and organised by the Nautical Society of Monaco, has already attracted the attention of some of the world’s best athletes.
European lightweight champion in 2018 and 2016 Rio Olympic veteran from Switzerland Michael Schmid will be competing, as well as Algerian three-time Olympian Amina Rouba, French star Mickaël Marteau, and Swiss 2016 Olympic champion Mario Gyr.
To add to the attraction of the event, a pot of €27,000 is up for grabs for winners from seven categories, with first prize crew members receiving €500 each, second prize crews get €400, third are awarded €300, fourth see €200 and fifth will collect €100 each.
Thursday 28th is set aside for crew and individual training and registration. Friday the qualifiers run from 8:30am to 6pm and on Saturday the finals go from 8:30am to 5pm, all taking place in the Bay of Monaco.
The competition will be broadcast live on YouTube and a big screen will be set up in the port. Four cameras, including one mounted to a drone, will follow every second of the action.
After the winners have been declared on Saturday, a prize ceremony will take place followed by a ‘Rower’s Evening’ of mixing, mingling and no doubt the telling of war stories from the day.