Competition race categories (including those for amateur rowers)

Please see below for the different race categories listed according to boat size.

In the timed individual rowing categories, each rower rows against the clock one at a time. In the doubles rowing categories, both rowers row at the same time.
In the Finnish Championship (FC) categories, ‘boat shadowing’ is strictly forbidden. This is in accordance with the rules of the Finnish Rowing Association.
Those who participate in the official Finnish Championship competition must possess an official licence issued by the Finnish Rowing Association.
Other rowing teams may participate in the Finnish Championship races but their times will not be recorded in the official results.

During the Finnish Championship, teams of the opposite sex may race against each other in the long boat category races only. Mixed teams of men and women are not permitted to compete in any of the races.

Singles races (small boat)
Singles – men under 20: FC race on Sunday
Singles – men general on Saturday, FC race on Sunday
Singles – men over 40: Saturday
Singles – men over 45: FC race on Sunday
Singles – men over 50: Saturday
Singles – men over 55: FC race on Sunday
Singles – men over 60: Saturday
Singles – men over 70: Saturday
Singles – women under 20: FC race on Sunday
Singles – women: FC race on Sunday
Singles – women over 45: FC race on Sunday

Doubles races (small boat)
Bi-stroke – men under 20: FC race on Sunday
Bi-stroke – men general: Saturday. FC race on Sunday
Bi-stroke – men over 40: Saturday
Bi-stroke – men over 45: FC race on Sunday
Bi-stroke – men over 50: Saturday
Bi-stroke – men over 55: FC race on Sunday
Bi-stroke – women general: Saturday
Bi-stroke – mixed under 20: FC race on Sunday
Bi-stroke – mixed general: Saturday. FC race on Sunday
Doubles – open: Saturday
Doubles – men under 20: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – men general: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – men over 45: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – women under 20: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – women general: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – mixed under 20: FC race on Sunday
Doubles – mixed general: FC race on Sunday

Teams (long boat or special boat)
Long boat night-time races are similar to Saturday and Sunday daytime races and competitive races; however the route takes the reverse course.

Long boat – open: Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night, Sunday
Long boat – men: FC race on Sunday
Long boat – men over 50: Saturday night. Suursoudut Championchip race, all team members should be born before 01.01.1959
Long boat – women: FC race on Sunday
Long boat – mixed: FC race on Sunday
Long boat – under 20 (10k route): Sunday
Special boats: Saturday and Sunday

Saturday race, approx. 60 km
The Saturday rowing race follows a 60 km course around Partala Island in the following way: Hakovirta – Kietävälä – Sulkava village. During this event, all rowing teams will be timed and the quickest ones awarded prizes according to their final placing. In all rowing categories the choice of seat structure is free.

Long boat night race, approx. 60 km (Fri and Sat)
The night time rowing races for long boats follow the same course around Partala Island as the daytime races but in reverse. Night time rowing races are judged in the same way as daytime ones on Saturday and Sunday (please see above for details). In all rowing categories the choice of seat structure is free.

Sunday race under 20 year olds (10km route)
The under 20 year olds long boat race follows a 10k course starting at Hakovirta Bridge and ending at the Rowing Stadium. To participate, teams (including those representing clubs, schools or associations) must consist of at least seven girls. In addition, all team members should be born on after and 01.01.1986. The race starts from Hakovirta at 10am on Sunday. Team entry fees are: €13/person (if paid before 15.06.2008) or €20/person if paid between 16.06.2008-08.07.2008. This fee includes a number of the benefits offered to regular Sulkava Rowing Race participants.

Sunday race, approx. 60km
The Sunday rowing race follows a 60k course around Partala Island in the following way: Hakovirta – Kietävälä – Sulkava village. The Sunday schedule features Finnish Championship races in the long-distance, free seat structure, small and long boat categories. In all FC races, teams are placed according to their timings.

All Finnish Championship races on Sunday are open to teams without official Finnish Rowing Association accreditation. These team’s results will not be included in the official FC placing, but are still considered equal participants in all races.

Long-distance races
The long-distance races take place over two days. The approx. 70k race follows a course around Partala Island in the following way: Sulkava village – Hakovirta – Kietävälä Varviranta – Sulkava village. Thursday’s race is open only to long boats while the race on Saturday is open to other types of boat.

During the first day, rowers complete around one half of the route, making camp at Varviranta for the night. The organisers will transport tents and other equipment from the starting point to the camping area in Varviranta and back, making it possible for rowers to sleep in their own tents. The race continues from 8am the following morning with participants reaching the Rowing Stadium finish line in the afternoon.

In all of the long-distance races, the choice of boat model, material and seat structure is free.

Breach of the rules
All rowing teams taking part in any of the Sulkava Rowing Race events must do so in a boat which complies fully with the rules of the competition. Failure to do so will lead to instant disqualification.

Company Challenge
On Friday evening the Sulkava Lions Club organises its annual Company Challenge rowing event. Companies are invited to take part in a fun and friendly race starting in front of the Sulkava village centre. This additional event has become very popular in recent years, attracting teams from a large number of companies throughout Finland and beyond. Following the race, there is a garden party with plenty of food and drink available for all participants.

For more details, please contact:
Hannu Huiskonen, tel. 0400 183 065.
email hannu.huiskonen(at)dnainternet.net