Dragon Boat World Championships 2007 in Sydney

Dragon Boat World Championships 2007 in Sydney

Even Dragon Boat Net didn't make to be at the Dragon Boat World Championships in Sydney, now that they are over, of course we are receiving informations about what was going on there.

Well, after initial reports about an disappointing opening ceremony all we hear sounds good and positive. The performance levels during the races were the best ever, just look on the race times recorded and compare them with previous Dragon Boat Championships. Sydney was by any means a true sport focussed event and definitely has done good to the reputation of the sport. So, congrats finally have to go to the organizers in Down Under.

That Dragon Boat Racing starts to obtain more and more recognition becomes clear by the fact that the German TV-Broadcaster ZDF has sent a reporting team especially for the event. Now, as me being a German I can tell you, that really means something. The ZDF is beside the ARD one of the two big and most important TV channels in Germany that have a governmental mission to inform the country's people about things. Congrats to Dragon Boat Racing of having achieved their coming.

Coming back to the 8th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, the opening ceremony: Everybody agrees it was not what somebody would have expected for such an event, neither spectators nor the organizers. Insider informations clearly say that it was intended to be much more exciting with more programme but the Australian authorities did not give permission and leaving the organizers with no choices than to proceed with a down scaled ceremony. Let's free the AusDBF from the blame, they wanted and tried to do better.

Looking at the Medals Table the Canadian dominance becomes quite obvious, with just one more Medal than the USA in the Premier Classes. Also China and the Philippines achieved Gold Ranks. However, the Canadians took the most Gold Medals, just recognize it also in Senior & Grand Classes, but did not win the Nations Cup, which went to the USA, followed by China on second and Canada on third place. Therewith I would say, if you are looking for the one World Champion in Dragon Boat Racing, congratulate the USA being the 2008 Champion.

Me, myself, of course I become happy when seeing the result of the German Juniors. Me, also being a resident of Hong Kong, the Mother of Dragons, I feel ashame again for Hong Kong signing in but not showing up. Hong Kong has so strong teams and such a big Dragon Boat Community and ... ??? Hey, HKDBA wake up and sort out your thing. Hong Kong people want to see a Hong Kong Team racing internationally. Not showing up doesn't help at all. If you can't make it by yourself talk to the Fishermen, I'd bet they would be delighted to help!!!

For the "Worlds" itself it was also nice to hear that everybody attending was simply happy to be there and meeting the others involved in Dragon Boating. Isn't that what our sport also is about? Best evidence is the big and warm thank you in the Yahoo Dragon Boat Forum from the Philippines Dragon Boat Team to the organizers. That tells a lot positives in between the lines.

All over, well done to Down Under and to the IDBF of course by providing the roof under which such World Championships can take place.

Henning Wiekhorst