FEI Americas Jumping Championships 2015: Double-Gold For Argentina, But Brazil Dominates The Podium Once Again

Following a familiar pattern, Brazilian athletes claimed a huge haul of gold at the FEI Americas Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2015 which drew to a close at Capilla del Señor in Buenos Aires (ARG) last Sunday. Organised by the National Federation of Argentina, and staged from 2 to 8 November at Haras El Capricho which celebrates its 17th annual equestrian extravaganza this year, the event attracted 86 talented young competitors to the busy week of action.

A total of 10 countries were represented – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela – and the host nation had plenty to celebrate when claiming team gold in the Children’s Championship as well as the Junior Individual title earned by 2014 team silver medallist Santiago Orifici. There was a recurring theme throughout this year’s fixture, with many of last year’s medallists featuring once again as they continue on an exciting upward curve in their equestrian careers.

Children

It took a two-way jump-off to decide the Children’s team title when Argentina’s Los Pumas and Brazil’s Amarillo were tied on 12 faults each after three rounds. Amarillo’s Helena Malucelli Egoroff (Indira Rec) was eliminated, so when Raphael Halaban (Dito van de Rispen) picked up four, Lys Katherine Park Kang (Capuava Jmen) collected eight and Carlos Eduardo Zaniboni de Asumpcao (Cantilio Jmen) added three to his tally, then the Brazilian team total of 15 faults was five too many.

Because Argentina’s Richard Kierkegaard (Du Noble) never touched a pole so all the home side had to count was the single error from Lautaro Pena Bruno (Tres Marias Dominique) and the six picked up by Stefano Urtubey (Remonta Fijativo), discarding the eight racked up by Joaquin Lopez Picard (VR Chaplin) for a total of 10.

Bronze went to Brazil’s Verde selection of Laura Bosquirolli Tigre (Cher Da Boavista), Henrique Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo (Valentino), Felipe Pereira Teixeira (Cophia Topocart) and Thales Gabriel De Lima Marino (Coudeur Jmen) who pinned Argentina’s Las Leonas into fourth place by just a single time fault.

Laura Bosquirolli Tigre claimed individual gold for Brazil in fine style, the 14-year-old absolutely faultless throughout the three days of tough competition with her nine-year-old Brazilian-bred chestnut mare Cher Da Boavista. But it was a two-way tussle for silver and bronze when Paraguay’s Alexia Martinez (Quindaro) and Argentina’s Richard Kierkegaard (Du Noble) each added nothing more to the four faults they collected in the first qualifier. And it was tantalisingly close to the very end, with 13-year-old Martinez squeezing her Argentinean rival down to bronze spot by a margin of just 0.08 seconds when both went clear in a jump-off against the clock.

Pre-Juniors

Brazil claimed both gold and silver in the Pre-Junior team championship while Argentina claimed the bronze.

The two Brazilian selections were neck-and-neck after the first round when finishing on a zero score, but the Amarillo squad of Felipe Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo (Attil van’t Steenputje), Paulo Roberto Brasileiro Miranda (Charleston Jmen), Gabrielle Fontoura Berger (Quite Capitano) and Laura Ramos Rait (MD Quastor Jmen) only added four faults in the second round while Brazil Verde added eight.

The silver medal side included last year’s individual silver medal winning partnership of Siew Chiang Cheng and Asterix TW along with Amanda Do Mascimento Teixeira Santos (Intoyka), Filipe Baratella Risi (Bancouver de la Vaux) and Pedro Malucelli Egoroff (Bo). And they finished with a significant seven-fault advantage over the bronze medallists from Argentina Celeste who pipped Chile’s Azul, also by a seven-fault margin. Celeste’s Candela Oyarzabal (Chiquita Z), Lautaro Martin Borsotti Lugo (BM Gem de Baugy), Alex Dircie (Remonta Jamaiquina) and Francisco Leonforte (Nurmi Rouge) were carrying just three faults after the first round, so were well in touch with the leaders at that stage. The addition of 12 faults second time out however saw them having to settle for third spot in the final analysis.

Team gold medallist Ramos Rait was Pre-Junior individual champion in Vitacura, Chile last year with the same horse, but this time around she finished 10th in the individual rankings, while team silver medallist, Filipe Baratella Risi, came out on top with Vancouver de la Vaux.

Brazil completely dominated the individual podium, 15-year-old Baratella Risi pipping team gold medallist Fontoura Berger who had to settle for individual silver and Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo who took individual bronze.

Juniors

Argentina Celeste lost out by just a single time fault in the battle for Junior team gold, but team silver medallist, Santiago Orifici, clinched the individual title for the host country.

Celeste led the way after Martina Campi (Resistire Piam), Lihuel Gonzalez (Checa Z), Santiago Brandolino (Clon Cooper) and Orifici with Voloma posted a zero score, discarding the single error from Brandolino. But Brazil Verde’s Maria Victoria David Ludwig (Gizelle van de Watering), Pedro Grandi Backheuser) (Q’Pleasure de Bacon), Lucas Teixeira Lima (Alpha Condor) and Victoria Junqueira Ribeiro de Mendonca (Una Bella) carried just four faults into the second round and when they all went clear second time out that proved the winning score.

Campi’s single second-round time fault proved expensive for Argentina’s Celeste as, obliged to add the four posted by Gonzalez when Brandolino collected 12 at his second attempt and despite another clear from Orifici, the five-fault total relegated them to silver spot.

Team bronze went to the Brazil Amarillo side of Isabela Piovesan Dall=Oglio (GTI3), Nicolle Pantoja Margeotto (Chap Lando Z), Fred Morais Menezes Abdul-Hak Antelo (Salto Sela Platina Z) and Iury Guimaraes Bores (August Utopia) who finished well adrift on a final tally of 28 faults.

Orifici was immensely impressive, the 18-year-old who showed such promise at these Championships 12 months ago racking up further experience earlier this year when campaigning the Florida (USA) circuit and sealing his individual victory this year with a faultless week partnering the Dutch-bred Voloma.

Brazil took silver and bronze, Victoria Junqueira Ribeiro de Mendonca pipping her fellow team gold medallist Maria Victoria David Ludwig for the higher place on the podium.

In full flight – the host nation’s Santiago Orifici enjoyed a faultless week of competition with Voloma to take Junior individual gold at the FEI Americas Jumping Championships 2015 at Haras El Capricho in Capilla del Señor, Argentina. (FEI/Lucio Landa)

Young Riders

The Brazilians took gold and silver in both the team and individual Young Riders competitions, and, underlining the value of Championships of this calibre, the new individual champion was a graduate from last year’s Junior podium.

The Young Riders team competition was a high-scoring affair, but Brazil Verde’s Yasmim Almendros Marinho Santos (Piaf de Quintin), Andre Moraes Mohr (Noa Noa Da Lagoa), Andre Joao Bacchi (Eye Catcher) and Thiago Aquino de Arruda Martins (Anneline) were already out in front on a nine-fault scoreline at the halfway stage and despite adding 17 more more second time out they won through emphatically. It was like old times for Almendros Marinho Santos, Moraes Mohr and Aquino de Arruda Martins as they were also members of Brazil’s winning Young Riders side in Chile 12 months ago.

Last year’s Junior individual champions, Giulia del Canton Scampini and Keep on Fighting, joined Rafael Rodrigues Moderno (El Santo), Anna Victoria de Lorenzi Campelo (Fleur de Vauxelles) and 2014 Junior individual bronze medallists Alberto Bento Sinimbu and Sharapova MCJ racled up a final tally of 44 faults for silver. And, despite posting 85 faults at the end of the day, Argentina Celeste’s three-member side of Carola Di Mambro (Tatabra Texas), Damian Dominino (Winbishi Be Eme Delenda), and Pablo Milito (CW Chelsie) claimed the bronze when the only other contenders from Argentina Bianco were eliminated in the second round.

Bento Sinimbu and Sharapova won the first qualifier and then collected nine faults over the two rounds of the team event. It was another win on the final day that clinched the individual title for the 18-year-old rider and his 13-year-old Brazilian-bred chestnut mare.

Team gold medallists Thiago Aquino de Arruda Martins and Anneline took individual silver and Chile’s Alexander Imschentzky (Salto Por Salto Centina) earned individual Young Riders bronze.

Results:

FEI Americas Jumping Championships 2015:

Children’s Team: GOLD – Argentina Los Pumas, 10 faults in third-round jump-off: Du Noble (Richard Kierkkegaard), Tres Marias Dominique (Lautaro Pena Bruno), Remonta Fijativo (Stefano Urtubey), VR Chaplin (Joaquin Lopez Picard); SILVER – Brazil Amarillo, 15 faults in third-round jump-off: Dito van de Rispen (Raphael Halaban), Capuava Jmen (Lys Katherine Park Kang), Cantilio Jmen (Carlos Eduardo Zaniboni de Assumpcao, Indira Rec (Helena Malucelli Egoroff); BRONZE – Brazil Verde 20 faults: Cher Da Boavista (Laura Bosquirolli Tigre), Valentino (Henrique Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo), Sophia Topocart (Felipe Pereira Teixeira), Coudeur Jmen (Thales Gabriel De Lima Marino).

Children’s Individual: GOLD – Cher Da Boavista (Laura Bosquirolli Tigre) BRA 0/0/0//0/0; SILVER – Quindaro (Alexia Martinez) PAR 4/0/0/0/04/-35.55; BRONZE – Du Noble (Richard Kierkegaard) ARG 4/0/0/0/04-35.63.

Pre-Junior Team: GOLD – Brazil Amarillo 4 faults: Attil Van’t Steenputje (Felipe Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo), Charleston Jmen (Paulo Roberto Brasileiro Miranda), Quite Capitano (Gabrielle Fontoura Berger), MD Quaster Jmen (Laura Ramos Rait); SILVER – Brazil Verde 8 faults: Intoyka (Amanda Do Nascimento Teixeira Santos), Vancouver de la Vaux (Felipe Baratella Risi), Bo (Pedro Malucelli Egoroff), Asterix TW (Siew Chiang Cheng); BRONZE – Argentina Celeste 15 faults: Chiquita Z (Candela Oyarzabal), BM Gem de Baugy (Lautaro Martin Borsotti Lugo), Remonta Jamaiquina (Alex Dircie), Nurmi Rouge (Francisco Leonforte).

Pre-Junior Individual: GOLD – Vancourver de la Vaux (Filipe Baratella Risi) BRA 4.84; SILVER – Quite Capitano (Gabrielle Fontoura Berger) BRA 6.75; BRONZE – Attil van’t Steenputje (Felipe Piza de Toledo de Lorenzo) 9.13.

Junior Team: GOLD – Brazil Verde 4 faults: Gizelle van de Watering (Maria Victoria David Ludwig), Q’Pleasure de Bacon (Pedro Grandi Backheuser), Alpha Condor (Lucas Teixeira Lima), Una Bella (Victoria Junqueira Ribeiro de Mendonca); SILVER – Argentina Celeste 5 faults: Resistire Piam (Martina Campi), Checa Z (Lihuel Gonzalez), Clon Cooper (Santiago Brandolino), Voloma (Santiago Orifici); BRONZE – Brazil Amarillo 28 faults: GTI 3 (Isabela Piovesan Dall’Oglio), Chap Lando Z (Nicolle Pantoja Margeotto), Salto Sela Platina Z (Frede Morais Menezes Abdul-Hak Antelo), August Utopia (Iury Guimaraes Borges).

Junior Individual: GOLD – Voloma (Santiago Orifici) ARG 0; SILVER – Una Bella (Victoria Junqueira Ribeiro de Mendonca) BRA 6.60; BRONZE – Gizelle van de Watering (Maria Victoria David Ludwig) BRA 8.15.

Young Riders Team: GOLD – Brazil Verde 26 faults: Piaf de Quintin (Yasmin Almendros Marinho Santos), Noa Noa da Lagoa (Andre Moraes Mohr), Eye Catcher (Andre Joao Bacchi), Anneline (Thiago Aquino de Arruda Martins); SILVER – Brazil Amarillo 44 faults: Keep on Fighting (Giulia Dal Canton Scampini), El Santo (Rafael Rodeigues Moderno), Fleur de Vauxelles (Anna Victoria de Lorenzi Campelo), Sharapova MCJ (Alberto Bento Sinimbu); BRONZE – Argentina Celeste 85 faults: Tatabra Texas (Carola Di Mambro), Winbishi de Eme Delenda (Damian Dominino), CW Chelsie (Pablo Milito).

Young Riders Individual: GOLD – Sharapova MCJ (Alberto Bento Sinimbu) BRA 14.00; SILVER – Anneline (Thiago Aquino de Arruda Martins) BRA 17.04; BRONZE – Salto Por Salto Centina (Alexander Imschentzky) CHI 19.01.

Louise Parkes

Kenya Claim Gold At Group 3 Grand Prix Finals

Kenya added more to the African showpiece at the international level after they won gold at World Grand Prix Group 3 after Egypt earlier won the same stage at the 2015 Men’s World League. Kenya arrived in Canberra this week predicting they would surprise people, and they were true to their word by beating Peru 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-23) in the FIVB Group 3 Grand Prix final.

Victorious Kenyan team Claim Gold At FIVB Group 3 Grand Prix Finals

After dropping the opening set to Peru, 21-25, Mercy Moim and Ruth Jepngetich led Kenya into recovery, dominating Peru to take the second set 25-17.

The third set went point-for-point, until the Kenyans pulled away late 25-22.

With the title and a return to Group 2 slipping from their grasp, Peru threw everything at the Africans in the fourth set, and opened up a 3-point lead at the midway point.

But the Kenyans were not to be denied, winning several long rallies and applying pressure on the South Americans, taking the final set 25-23.

Kenya Claim Gold At FIVB Group 3 Grand Prix Finals

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Kenya, Algeria Are Winners On African Day At World Volleyball Grand Prix

Kenya swops position with Mexico in Grand Prix after win over the host

Kenya swopped position with Mexico, moving one place up to fifth in the eight nations, Group 3 FIVB women’s world Grand Prix standing after winning their second match 3-2 (25-16, 20-25, 21-25, 25-17 19-9) against Mexico yesterday in Monterrey, Mexico.

Kenya had lost by straight sets to Peru in their opening match Saturday, a match which was characterized by poor reception but the newly crowned Africa Champions recovered from the upset to compel the hosts, Mexico to a second lose in two meeting between the two sides in these games.

Cuba, Kazhakstan, Peru and Colombia occupies the first four positions in that order with six points respectively.

Kenya must win all their remaining matches, starting with Colombia tonight then, Australia, Algeria and again Mexico to have any realistic chances of progressing to the third round to be held in Australia next month.

With a much improved match statistics, Malkia Striker cut Mexico’s 2-1 set advantage in the fourth set to to force the game into a tiebreaker which they easily won 15-9 with both teams going head to head 4-4, 8-8 in a tensed deciding set.

This time round, Kenya had a better attack of 56 to Mexico’s 47 but coach David Lung’aho will have to rectify his block in his last pool O match against Colombia tonight having managed only eight block against Mexico’s 13.

Mercy Moim was Kenya’s best scorer with 16 points while Ruth Jepng’etich had 14 points. Captain Bracksides Khadambi had 13 points, Evelyn Makuto had 11 points substitute Lydia Maiyo had 9 points after coming in for Esther Wangeci in the second set. Wangeci managed 5 points while setter Jane Wacu contributed 4 points.

Mexico’s Andrea Rangel was the top scorer of the match with 20 points. This was the second straight meet for the two sides with Kenyan having beaten Mexico 3-1 in their debut appearance last year. Kenya will next play against Colombia on Sunday before traveling to Algeria for the second leg next week.

Algeria women team get first victory in FIVB Grand Prix

Algeria overcome Australia for first World Grand Prix win

Taldykorgan, Kazhakstan, 28 June, 2015 – Algeria won their first ever World Grand Prix match, beating Australia 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-13) in Pool N, with Redouani Amina leading the way as the only player from either side to score in double figures.

Neither side had won a World Grand Prix match and in their second season, Australia led at the first TTO of the opening set after a decent serve from Katarina Osadchuk. Successive aces from Kahin Abouche helped Algeria swing the advantage to 16-12 at the next TTO and in their third World Grand Prix season, they went on to take the set 25-19.

The early stages of the second were level, until Australia’s errors put them behind and Algeria led 13-7. The Volleyroos then rallied and worked their way back into the match to level at 19-19. Georgina Rowe was prominent for Australia as they took a 21-19 lead, but Algeria wouldn’t be denied at took a commanding 2-0 lead with a 25-22 second-set win.

Redouani was a force in the third set on her way to 12 points for the match and scored to give Algeria a 16-12 lead. From there Algeria barely gave Australia a chance and they won the third set 25-13, to take the match 3-0 and celebrate their first FIVB World Grand Prix victory. The 3-0 win ensures Algeria also increases their total set wins from three to six in the competition.

Poor Reception Costs Kenya At Volleyball Grand Prix Opener Against Peru

Angela Leyva contributed 22 points for Peru to subject Kenya to a 3-0 (25-18 , 25-12, 25-23) lose in their opening world Grand Prix match Saturday morning at the Unido Nuevo Leon Gimnasio in Monterrey, Mexico.

Poor reception was Kenya’s main undoing in this match despite the east Africa boasting of Elizabeth Wanyama, Africa’s best receiver. This was Kenya’s first lose to Peru at the Grand Prix and their fourth in seven games since their debut last year

Kenya’s Evelyn Makuti who was voted Africa’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the Africa Nations Championship last week in Nairobi was Kenya’s top scorer with 11 points.

Kenyan coach instructing his team

This was the third victory for Peru against Kenya which has struggled to post any meaningful result at the international level despite dominating the continental scene with nine titles out of 10 appearances at the Nations championship finals.

Prior to the match, Peru, though ranked four places below Kenya in the world pecking order (23) had beaten Kenya (19) in 1995 and 2007 world Cup with their latest triumph against Malkia Strikers being the 1998 World Championship.

Coach David Lung’aho started with his experienced side in the opening set, with Mercy Moim and Africa’s MVP, Evelyne Makuto as outside hitters while Esther Wangeci started ahead of Lydia Maiyo on the opposite with Africa’s best blocker, Ruth Jepng’etich and captain Praxcides Agala combining for the blocks. The starting lineup also had Africa’s best setter and libero, Jane Wacu and Elizabeth Wanyama respectively.

Peru were not cowed by the titles from across the net when they grabbed the first set 25-18 forcing Lung’aho to make changes into his squad following poor back court defense after Wanyama failed to collect chance balls.

Kenya however tried staging a comeback in the set recovering from a 13-20 to push the scores to 18-20 but the pressure was too much for the newly crowned Africa champions after Peru stopped them before winning the set 25-18 before grabbing the subsequent set 25-12.

Kenyan team

In the third set the Kenyan team came in with much composure and determination staging a powerful comeback having trailed 15 -07 to lead Peru 19-17 but a few avoidable errors brought the opponents back into the game, when they took a 21-19 lead before winding up the match with a 25-23 to grab their three points.

Kenya will next play hosts Mexico tonight in their second match before winding up their Mexican trip with a clash against Colombia.

Elvince Joshua

World Governments Contribute USD 6.45 Million To IOC’s Usd 10 Million Anti-Doping Fund

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced pledges of USD 6.45 million from world governments in the fight for the clean athletes which will create a joint fund of nearly USD 13 million.

One of the first initiatives of Olympic Agenda 2020 was the creation of a USD 20 million fund to protect the clean athletes, 10 million of which was to be used in particular to research new techniques to detect prohibited substances and methods. The IOC had called on governments to match the USD 10 million, and WADA, under the presidency of Sir Craig Reedie, has successfully secured pledges of USD 6.45 million, meaning that the WADA-administered fund will have a starting budget of almost USD 13 million.

The USD 13 million joint fund represents a 50-50 split between the IOC and world governments that responded to a call to match the IOC funding. China, France, Ivory Coast, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and Sweden have pledged their financial support.

The IOC will also administer the balance that remains from the full USD 10 million it approved as part of Olympic Agenda 2020 (remaining balance is USD 3.55 million) as a separate fund for new anti-doping research in the fight against doping. This will be allocated by the IOC to researchers involved in athlete-centred projects, with a science or social focus. Following a call for applications in 2014, the IOC has selected four applications from researchers in Spain and Australia, and further projects will be selected in 2015.

“With Olympic Agenda 2020, we are changing the philosophy with regard to the credibility of sports competitions and of athletes,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “We must consider every cent in the fight against doping as an investment in the future of Olympic sport, not as an expense. This fund clearly shows that we support innovative anti-doping research that will lead to better protection of the clean athletes.”

In December 2013 during discussions on Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, the IOC created a fund of USD 20 million aimed at protecting clean athletes from drug cheats and match-fixing and related corruption. Half of the money was earmarked to fund social and scientific research pertaining to anti-doping, the other half to fight match-fixing.

London 2012 OG, Olympic Village – The Olympic
flag.
© 2012 / Comité International Olympique
(CIO) / FURLONG, Christopher

The IOC, together with WADA, called on world governments to match the amount by 16 November 2014. The funds committed by the 12 governments are payable in full to WADA by 31 March 2016.

“WADA is very pleased with the financial commitments that this partnership has generated for the fight against doping in sport”, said WADA President Sir Craig Reedie. “The fund allocated by the IOC has received the commitment of governments of the world to contribute a total of USD 6,452,296. The funds will provide a tremendous boost to WADA in their efforts to carry out innovative, anti-doping research focussed on protecting the clean athletes.”

The strategy for distribution of this fund is to complement, but not duplicate, existing anti-doping research programmes. Anti-doping organisations agree that alternative strategies are needed so the priority is innovative and novel research in all areas of anti-doping, which have the potential to lead to a significant change in the way anti-doping programmes are carried out and will have a direct impact on the daily lives of the clean athletes.

2014 FISA ORDINARY CONGRESS IN AMSTERDAM

The FISA 2014 Ordinary Congress was held following the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Congress was the first chaired by new President Jean-Christophe Rolland and in attendance were Honorary President Denis Oswald and IOC Vice-President John Coates, FISA’s Continental Representative for Oceania.

NOC Presidents who are also rowers Eduardo Palomo of El Salvador, Khaled Zain El Din of Egypt, Jose Quinones of Peru, Jiri Keyval of Czech Republic and Denis Masseglia of France were in attendance.

The Congress began with reports from the President, Executive Committee Members, Chairs of the specialist Commissions and Continental Representatives. The next was the approval of the 2013 accounts and the 2015 budget.

Elections were held for several seats on the FISA Council. On the first election the delegates of the 51 FISA member federations elected Rosie Mayglothling of Great Britain as the chair of the Competitive Rowing Commission. Rosie received 71 of the valid votes cast while incumbent and member of the Executive Committee John Boultbee of Australia received 63 votes. The Congress also re-elected Mike Tanner, chair of the Events Commission; Pat Lambert, chair of the Event Promotion Commission; Tone Pahle, chair of the Masters Rowing Commission; Fay Ho, chair of the Para-Rowing Commission and Patrick Rombaut, chair of the Umpiring Commission. Jacomine Ravensbergen was electd for the first time as chair of the Women’s Rowing Commission.

The Congress provisionally attributed the 2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. As it will be combined with the 2016 World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships, the first time ever, more time was required to settle all issues around the organisation of the two events. The 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships was attributed to Plovdiv, Bulgaria which will serve as the test event for the 2018 World Rowing Championships.

The following countries declared their interest in bidding for the 2019 World Rowing Championships: Linz/Ottensheim, Austria; Sydney, Australia; Racice, Czech Republic and Hamburg, Germany. A few others are still working on gaining the support of funding bodies and chose not to announce their interest yet.

Presentations were made by Rémy Charmetant, director of the organising committee of the 2015 World Rowing Championships that will be held in Aiguebelette, France and by Rodrigo Garcia, Sport Director of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jean-Christophe Rolland announced that FISA has finalised the 2016 Olympic Racing Programme which features the two eights and two single scull finals on the last day of the regatta.

Additional discussions at the Congress included consideration of the question of the maximum boat length (Bye-Law to Rule 39, section 1.1, paragraph 2). After hearing from several experienced boat builders, the Council decided to suspend the effect of the minimum length bye-law until more information on the full impact is gathered. FISA will be seeking additional facts from inside rowing and in the shipping industry to be in a better position to make a decision on this issue.

At the conclusion of the Congress several presentations were made about recent developments in FISA including: The revised FISA Strategic Plan, The Equality Strategy – Women’s Rowing Development Plan, The Universality Strategy – The Coastal Rowing and Island Rowing Strategy, The Environmental Strategy – Clean Water Project.

The 2015 Ordinary Congress will be held on 7 September, 2015 in Chambery, France just following the 2015 World Rowing Championships that will take place on Lake Aiguebelette, France.

Kenya Take On Host Mexico As Algeria Lost To Bulgaria In World Grand Prix Opener

Kenya defeated fellow newcomers Mexico in a four-setter (25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22) in Pool Q and stand as the only debutant survivors on opening day of the Intercontinental Round of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix on Friday.

Kenyan hitter Mercy Moim topped all scorers with 22 points from 20 attacks and two blocks. Mexican captain Claudia Rios charted 15 points.

Kenya coach David Lungaho was happy with the victory but commended the efforts of their opponents, especially Lizbeth Sainz, who notched 14 points for the losing side.

“We are thrilled to debut in a major international event with a victory,” Lungaho said. “The team gained a lot of confidence to look forward to what lies ahead of them. I believe Mexico as hosts had more pressure, which could have affected their performance, but they are very aggressive and I especially liked how Lizbeth Sainz performed.”

Kenya prevailed in the double-debutant matchup in the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix opener

In other matches, Poland and Peru came up with victories in Pool J. Poland defeated Belgium 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21), while Peru trounced Canada in another four-setter (25-21, 25-18, 25-27, 25-16). In Pool K, Netherlands and Puerto Rico completed easy straight-set wins over Cuba and Argentina, respectively. Netherlands took advantage of a very young Cuban side for a 3-0 success (25-11, 25-13, 25-20), while Puerto Rico used their home advantage to upset the Argentines (25-22, 25-18, 25-22).

In Group 3, Czech Republic defeated Croatia 3-1 (32-30, 25-21, 19-25, 25-20), while hosts Kazakhstan pulled off a straight-set (25-21, 25-16, 25-16) win over Australia in Pool P. The see-saw fight of Algeria and Bulgaria in Pool Q were decided in a thrilling five-setter, where the latter emerged as winners (25-15, 22-25, 25-18, 23-25, 19-17).