Rowing: $6m sponsorship boost for champs

Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Getty Images

Sponsors have not been backwards in coming forward for the world rowing championships in New Zealand despite the tough economic climate.

Karapiro 2010 Ltd chief executive Tom Mayo yesterday said the championships were on a firm financial footing six months out from the first races near Cambridge on October 30.

Close to $6 million has been committed to the championships on Lake Karapiro by 28 sponsors, leaving Mayo supremely confident the event will not be run at a loss.

"The final part of the jigsaw are ticketing sales. The sponsorship takes the pressure off ticket sales."

Organisers have targeted 50,000 people to attend the nine-day championships to ensure they break even financially, and Mayo believes they will top that figure comfortably.

Daily general admission tickets go on sale on May 3, following the release last October of eight-day season tickets for grandstand seating. So far, 3000 of the 10,000 grandstand seats have been sold.

In all, the sponsors on board have committed a total of $5.7 million in either cash or value in kind.

"We are over the moon that it's been put to bed with six months to go," Mayo said.

"The main thing with sponsorship is that it gives you that foundation upon which to build the event. It means the contractors can be paid and you can put money up front for projects and development.

"That really takes the pressure off the organising team to now concentrate on delivering a great championships." With the sponsorship issues sorted, Mayo and his team are now turning their full attention to ticket sales. He believes up to 80,000 will attend the championships.

"We can fit 20,000 people into the venue a day. Our research has told us that about 80,000 people are interested in coming to the championships if the price is right, the venue is good and transport isn't going to be a problem."

Daily general admission prices range from $15 to $60, while children under 8 will be admitted free and discounts are available for those under 15. Free transport is to be available from two locations in Cambridge, about 5km from the course, while organisers are also looking to provide a free transport service from Hamilton.

Between 50 and 60 countries are expected to attend the championships, and accommodation has already been booked for 1023 athletes and officials, with another 400 to 500 expected to book in coming months.

- NZPA