Information On The New 1500M Sprint Race Format

[glrfcentral]

The 2014 Gay Games Regatta format has changed from a 3200m. head race to a 1500m. sprint race.

 

Listed below are the most commonly asked questions. For more information, visit the Cleveland Rowing Foundation web page for the regatta and NOT the Gay Games rowing page, which has not been updated.

 

Q: What is the race format?

A: Races will be 1500 meter sprints, two-by-two on the Cuyahoga River.

 

Q: Do we pay fees per race?

A: No. the $70 event fee allows rower to race as many times as they want!

 

Q: Can I rent boats?

A: Yes. We will have 8 and 4 shells to rent.

 

Q: Can I sign up if I do not have a full boat?

A: Yes, we will help people fill boats. [GLRF note: you can also post a topic in this group discussion where other GLRF members can find you!]

 

Q: Is there a schedule of events posted yet?

A; Not yet, the schedule will depend on demand. Sign up for the races in which you would like to participate. The schedule will be available closer to regatta day.

 

Q: What time is the regatta?

A: We will race from 8am – noon. Then have an awards ceremony and beer garden. [GLRF note: the time listed here is more accurate than the times listed on the Cleveland Rowing Foundation web page or on the Evenbrite registration page. We already asked about the discrepancy. Their answer was that if there are enough entries, the races will extend beyond Noon.

 

Q: How does the age handicap system work? Does the handicap then give them a head start?

A: Boats compete in each age division based on the average age of all crew members (minus the coxswain). The boats will compete against each other - starting together, however time will be taken away from their overall final time based on their boats handicap. Therefore, if several boats race each other, technically the fastest boat on the water, or in that category, may not win since handicap was not yet applied. All boats will know their handicap prior to racing. Therefore, the youngest boat will know the amount of time they need to win by in order to take the gold. This is typical of Masters regattas.

 

If you still have additional questions, here are two points of contact:

• Kirk Lang at clevelandrowing@gmail.com
  
• Michelle Gallagher at mmg21@case.edu