Racing was cancelled today at the Olympic rowing venue of Lagoa.
There was criticism yesterday from some New Zealand rowers that racing went ahead in strong winds that made the water particularly choppy.
Today the wind increased throughout the morning and officials called off the racing because they were having “technical installation” issues – the wind made setting up the course too difficult.
Shortly after the cancellation was announced the wind really got up, making any discussions moot.
There were two New Zealand women’s crews due to race today – Sophie MacKenzie and Julia Edward in the lightweight double sculls and Rebecca Scown and Genevieve Behrent in the pair.
Rowing officials said there was enough time to make up for the cancelled day and that next Sunday was a reserve day, if required. They said the wind conditions on the first two days of the regatta were unusual and were not expected to continue.
Scown and Behrent will have to race twice tomorrow, in the eights heat and then their postponed pair heat.