Since everyone had to stay in their own country during the Corona crisis, the World Indoor Rowing Championships were organized online. This year, the participants are selected. Join online or travel to Toronto, Canada.
This year Lemmelijn remains true to the formula that won him the world title last year. Encouraged by his fans, friends, and family, he will compete with the rest of the world from the Grand Slam Hall in Tennin.
“That way I can show everybody what I’m working on,” he laughs to Millijn. “The trip to Toronto is long and it can take a couple of weeks to fully adjust to it.”
Last year Ward Lemmelijn had to go deep to win the world title, and this year he also promises to be an exciting fight.
German Oliver Zeidler in particular is seen as a dangerous agent. Zeidler is a two-time world champion in the single scull and holds a personal best on the potentiometer of 5’37″7.
This makes his best time nearly three seconds better than Lemmelijn’s PR: 5’40″6.
Lemmelijn realizes: “It’s going to be tough.” “Together with Ziegler I am the favourite. His PR is a little better, but I am in good shape. I also improved my Belgian record two weeks ago.”
“This year is the most important to qualify for the Olympic Games, but this World Cup is a battle of prestige between the rowers. If you can become world indoor champion, you are showing the rowing world that you are in good shape.”
Lemmelijn begins his mission on Sunday evening at 8.30pm.
Ward Lemmelijn has just returned from a training period with the national rowing team. Does he know, meanwhile, what the federation’s plan for the Games is?
“The association decided to prioritize the boat with two. In our courses six or seven Belgian rowers in the heavy class are tested in different combinations.”
“This does not exclude the possibility that we can also make a good boat with four or a small boat overlooking Paris. I don’t really care as long as the boats are fast.”
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