World Rowing Indoor Championships—Better Than Ever in 2023!

Concept2 is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2023 World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH), staged this year as a hybrid event, February 25-26, 2023. For the first time ever, Canada is hosting the WRICH in Mississauga, Toronto, at the Paramount Fine Food Centre. Competitors are expected to join the action both in person, and virtually in real time from anywhere in the world. The same timing and results system will be used for all entrants regardless of location.

The combination of virtual and in-person racing opens the door for World Rowing to expand the reach of this event to more athletes from around the world! The two days will be action packed with individual races at the 2000m and 500m distances, team 2000m relay races, and para categories, too.

There is no pre-qualification needed for those who wish to race at the in-person event in Toronto, but registration must be completed by February 8, 2023. All are welcome (age 13 and older). If you wish to compete virtually in real-time, you must qualify in advance at one of several international races before February 1, 2023. More information about the Qualification Pathway for virtual racing can be found on the World Rowing website. 

For the first time, this year’s championship will feature the Versa challenge, a competition made up of multiple events. Over two days and five different events, ten men and ten women will compete to be crowned the inaugural World Rowing Versa Champion.

The Versa is only for people competing in person at Toronto and was created to offer a unique competition opportunity that cannot be replicated at home. The Versa will test all the skills required of indoor rowing athletes, with new and unfamiliar race formats. The aim is to introduce an element of uncertainty and variability, with race formats that may not be known in advance, and that require tactics and a range of physical skills. It promises to be exciting for spectators and competitors alike.

The Versa qualification is now open, and you have until 13:00 UTC on November 28, 2022 to enter.