Cork Head of the River will proceed tomorrow. The restaged time trial event on the marina in Cork is set to become the first head of this extraordinary, weather-disrupted early season.
"We could be the first and only," said event secretary Susan Dunlea yesterday of a fixture which has drawn an entry of 280 crews.
Dunlea’s quip may not be an idle one. In the afternoon Lagan Scullers’ head in Belfast on the same day was cancelled because of a weather front rolling in this weekend.
Galway and Fermoy, set for next weekend, have cancelled because of the Corrib's and Blackwater's level. Dublin Head will have to contend with high water at Islandbridge in two weeks' time, but could make it. There will be an inspection this weekend.
The capital should not be deprived of the colours races on the Liffey, set for the Sunday of the St Patrick’s weekend.
Meanwhile, Richard Coakley of Skibbereen has said he will represent Australia at the World Cup in Sydney later this month, but the rest of his season is yet to be decided.
Team for Sydney
"I will have the Australian national trials in April where they will pick the team for the remainder of the World Cups and World Championships
. . . but it is uncertain if I will have my citizenship in time to compete for Australia at this year’s worlds.”
Ireland's team for Sydney will consist of lightweight single sculler Claire Lambe. The Dubliner finished third in the women's open single scull at the Victoria Championships in Australia at the weekend and partnered Hannah Clarke to second in the second in the open/under-23 double sculls.
