World Rowing innovates. The world rowing body announces the organization next February of the first indoor world championships in hybrid mode. They will take place on a Concept2 ergometer, like the 2022 edition, but with the possibility of participating in the events in person and remotely. The competition will be organized on February 25 and 26, 2023 at the Paramount Fine Foods Center in Mississauga, a few minutes from Toronto (Canada). Rowers will have the choice between being present on site, in Canada, or participating remotely, around the world, but in real time with the same performance measures. “Virtual” competitors will be connected via the Internet to the same central timing and results system as those physically present in Mississauga. For entrants who have chosen to go to Ontario, qualification will not be necessary. The number of in-person competitors will only be limited by venue capacity. For others, engaged in virtual mode, places will be limited. Applicants will have to go through a qualifying stage, the details of which will be revealed by World Rowing in September 2022. Another new feature: the creation of a new competition format, the World Rowing Versa Challenge, intended to determine the best indoor rower in the world, in addition to the usual races by age category.
