The New Zealand Rowing team is in limbo after Hurricane Irma ripped through the state of Florida, host of this month's World Championships.
The event’s Organising Committee has released a statement saying "the Sarasota/Bradenton area did not come under the direct impact of the hurricane as predicted thus, luckily, damage is limited."
New Zealand will send thirteen crews to the World Champs and Rowing NZ high performance director Alan Cotter’s not sure when the team will depart.
"The team is due to leave on Thursday, our team manager and physio were meant to be on the plane yesterday, but because of the Tampa airport being closed we delayed that, so we’re just monitoring it day-by-day at this stage."
The state of the venue hasn't been made clear and Cotter doesn’t want to send over his rowers until they know the lake is debris-free.
"No use flying over if the venue's not ready and they’ve got crap in the lake and that’s not open and we can’t row. We need the information first before we make our final decisions."
Cotter doesn't think the uncertainty will affect the team's preparations as they look to bring a big haul of medals back from Florida.
"We're getting ready wherever we are. They’re still training on the water whether it’s over there or here."
There doesn’t seem to be any issues with the team’s accommodation which is just ten minutes away from the venue in Sarasota.
"Not that we know of, again, we’re in contact with them and just see how we go through today to see how they were hit and if everything’s okay - power, food, that sort of thing."
Cotter expects to receive more information from the Organising Committee overnight and will update their travel plans tomorrow morning.
The World Championships begin on September 24th.
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