With the start of racing at NSR I kicking off on April 22nd so begins the first official step to determining the 2015 World Championship Team. There will be nine events at the regatta (W2-, M2-, LW2x, W2x, M2x, LM2-, M1x, W1x, LM1x) and this will be the first step for those athletes on a five-month journey to France. Each boat class has a little different route and what follows is what athletes in each boat class are looking at.
M2- & W2-
These athletes will be competing not just for first, but every place will be important. Firstly, the winners will have the opportunity to declare intent to compete at World Cup. These winners can chose to try and qualify for the World Championships by competing in World Cup II or III. For the M2- they must place in the top 6, for the W2- they must place in the top 4.
Secondly, the athletes competing in these events are also trying to earn spots in selection camps for the following boats: M8+, W8+, M4-, W4-. The top 6 finishers in each event will automatically be invited to the selection camps. The coaches will have discretion in inviting any additional athletes to the selection camps.
M1x, W1x, M2x, W2x & LW2x
These athletes will all be competing for the top spot. The winners will have the opportunity to declare intent to compete at a World Cup. These winners can chose to try and qualify for the World Championships by competing in World Cup II or III. If these athletes chose to try and qualify for the World Championships they must come in top 6 with the exception of the LW2x who have to place top 4.
The top two finishers for the W2x will automatically be invited to the selection camp for the W4x. The other athletes who do not come in first will have the opportunity to wait and potentially race at trials for the their respective events later in the summer.
LM2-
The LM2- is not technically a National Selection Regatta event, but rather a Speed Order event. These athletes are trying to earn a spot in selection camp for the LM4-. The top two finishers will automatically be invited to selection camp, the other athletes invited will be at the coach’s discretion.
LM1x
This is also a Speed Order event, but there is not any reward for the top finisher. Theses athletes may come together to form doubles to race at NSR II in the LM2x.