The 204th St. John’s Royal Regatta has been postponed by at least a day, committee vice president Ashley Peach said Wednesday. (Peter Cowan/CBC)
The 204th St John’s Royal Regatta has been postponed by at least a day due to high winds.
The announcement came from regatta committee vice president Ashley Peach at a press conference at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, today’s weather conditions are not conducive to safe paddling conditions,” Peach said.
She said the committee voted unanimously to postpone the event, with weather conditions already looking more favorable on Thursday. The commission will reconvene Thursday morning and hold another press conference at 6 a.m.
The weather-dependent St John’s Feast only takes place if the regatta committee deems the weather conditions suitable for rowing on Lake Quidi Vidi.
Praskova said winds were expected to be 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h from the south, which could make paddling conditions unsafe.
“My apologies to everyone who played Regatta Roulette and unfortunately lost, but I’m definitely crossing my fingers for tomorrow.”
This year’s event will feature 71 teams and 20 races. The 2022 regatta will also mark the first time women will row the 2.45km course.
Since 1816, the long course has been reserved for men, but this year that changes, with four women’s teams competing in the long course.
“I never understood why there would be two different distances for men and women. It didn’t make sense to me,” rower Nancy Beaton told St. John’s Morning Show earlier this week.
The regatta also welcomes back dozens of traders and thousands of spectators for the first time since 2019.
“While we’ve waited several years to get a full regatta, we think waiting one more day is worth it,” Peach said.
Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
Add Comment