TDP Régate 2009 à Paris

Brilliant sunshine greeted GLRF members and other rowers from six countries (AU, BR, CH, DK, FR, UK) who gathered for the third hosting of the TdP Régate on Sunday, 31 May 2009 at la base nautique de Choisy-le-roi outside of Paris (see GLRF photo set taken in December 2006). Held in conjunction with the end of May weekend-long Tournament de Paris, an annual three-day LGBT multisport competition involving 11 sports and 2 fun events, the rowers competed on a 1500m. course. The sprint competition offered two preliminaries, a petit final, and a grand final.

Since only 20 rowers gathered for the event, lineups were selected by draw and crews took to the water to race on a 3-lane, timed course. Races were held in the C4+, a coxed quad that approximates a “wherry” (english translation) which is slightly wider than a traditional racing shell with a higher gunnel and free water line. Crews took turns as coxies, and the fastest three times advanced to the finals.

The previous year, the race format had been a course au piquet, known in English as a stake boat race. Regatta organizer and GLRF member Gilles F. explained that due to a plethora of sailboats on the rowing course, the previous TdP had to use a timed, piquet head race format. Since the rowing venue is only 1800m., the format had involved a 3,000m. down and back relay around a buoy. This year, with the absence of the armada of sailboats, crews could race side by side.

Following the races, participants gathered for a delicious afternoon picnic hosted by the Voile et Croisière en Liberté Sailing Club in the expansive park grounds alongside the Parc interdépartemental de Choisy-le-Roi offices and rowing clubs, and with a spectacular view of the water. With some rest, rich sunbathing, and good chat, the group returned to Paris for the big closing party at the Bercy Village.