After its exciting first edition in the summer of last year, the decision has been made to cancel the Power8 Sprints due to be headline the Bristol Harbour Festival on 21st July.
This will come as a disappointment to many, after the introduction of the event last year showed promise of expanding the audience that engages with the sport by providing a more widely televised and accessible event. The 350m course- as opposed to the 2000m course used in standard regatta racing- allowed for a shorter and more exciting spectacle, particular for those less heavily involved in rowing.
British Rowing's board have decided that the event will not go ahead at their most recent meeting last Tuesday. The reasoning is to allow the committee to prioritise other events and discussions over the upcoming year, both with respect to time and financially. In the statement below, the suggestion is that we can expect the return of Power8s in years to come. But for the time being, other financial pressures and the lack of sponsorship has led to the cancellation of the event. This in no ways reflects the relative success of last year.
The Chairman of British Rowing, Mark Davies, said:
“Our team delivered a first class event with Power8 Sprints 2018 – high-quality television output with multiple stakeholders in a complex, urban environment. I was there last July, and it was brilliant to see so many people in Bristol enjoying watching rowing live on the harbourside, and the joy shown by all who took part. Every member of the Board liked the concept and thought it was executed incredibly well.
Proof of concept and excellent execution were not, however, sufficient to persuade the Board to put the event on for a second year in view of our broader financial commitments and in the absence of major sponsorship.
I would like to thank all our partners and suppliers who have worked with us on Power8 Sprints. We are keen to take this exciting project forward in the coming years.”
Read the official announcement here.