□ Our reporter Xing Hanfu
On July 30th, 2017 China Rowing Open (Harbin Station) kicked off in the waters of one lake and three islands in Songbei District, Harbin. More than 320 rowers showed their elegant demeanor in water sports, bringing a visual feast to the citizens of Ice City.
The reporter saw at the scene that opening performances such as motorboats, paragliders and flyboard were being held. The athletes were driving motorboats, and sometimes they turned sharply to stir up waves, and sometimes they jumped out of the water. The wonderful water performances won warm applause from the audience. The audience took out their mobile phones and kept shooting.
In the athletes’ preparation area, when the reporter saw Daniel, the leader of Cambridge University, he was helping the team to debug the rowing boat. "This time we participated in the 8-person helmsman project. In order to prepare for this competition, the team members prepared for it four months in advance, hoping to achieve good results." Daniel told reporters that the atmosphere of rowing competition in Harbin is very good and the track is very professional. I hope to have the opportunity to come here more often.
At 9: 45, the contest officially started. As the whistle sounded, the rowing boat that had been waiting for a long time on the water suddenly ejected. With the rhythmic rowing, the rowing boat was like an arrow on the water. The appearance of rowing teams at home and abroad quickly ignited the enthusiasm of the audience, and the sound of refueling on the shore came one after another.
Shanghai Rowing Club won three championships in this competition and became the biggest winner. "In order to meet this competition, they prepare for the war three months in advance, and they have to carry out launching training at least four times a week. They also carry out movements and physical training on the shore." Yin Liang, the leader of Shanghai Rowing Club, told reporters that this competition gave them a rare opportunity to communicate with strong rowing teams at home and abroad.
"Harbin is a city that loves sports. It seems to be accidental to hold the rowing open in Harbin for the first time last year, but it is actually inevitable. Because folk rowing was first developed in Harbin, and it has been maintained. I believe that this event will be better next year. " Wang Shi, chairman of the Asian Rowing Federation and honorary chairman of the board of directors of Vanke Group, said.
Wang Shi also made a commitment to hold this event in Harbin next year. "The third year of the Harbin Rowing Open must be more successful and happy. The sign of success is not only more athletes and more teams to participate, but more people in our city, middle school students, college students and citizens to participate. I hope to see middle school students and college students in Harbin enter the finals next year. " Wang Shi told reporters.
The reporter learned that the China Rowing Open (Harbin Station) has been warmly sought after by sports enthusiasts and citizens since it was held twice. The internationalization of this competition has been further deepened. The contestants are all professional and amateur high-level rowers registered with the China Rowing Association, and also attracted athletes from Britain, Israel, Thailand and other countries to participate. This year’s competition will set up a new land rowing exhibition, and the competition area and experience area will be set up in the stadium. The citizens can personally participate in and experience the land simulation training of rowing. The development of this activity has effectively narrowed the distance between rowing and citizens and promoted the vigorous development of rowing in Harbin.
The picture shows the 2017 China Rowing Open (Harbin Station). Our reporter Jiang Guohong photo