What is more prestigious: World Rowing WRIC or Crash B WIRC?

[Ciliconblade]

Hi guys

I noticed that there is like two 'World Indoor Rowing Championships' these days for ergoing.

My understanding is that World Rowing officially started to organise its own events three years ago, with the earlier ones perhaps in conjunction/or partnership with Crash B's. I did notice this year that there is the virtual World Indoor Rowing Champs and World Rowing has also started to promote the Crash B's in 2021 on their FB page.

So I am wondering, as I am fairly new on the indoor rowing scene, which is considered more prestigious, and who on this forum might be racing in both?

Thanks!

[mjk]

I'd say that since the split, World Rowing WRIC is much more prestigious, although placing well at Crash B would still earn someone significant bragging rights

Heres a comparison of the top three times in the Open Mens 2000m at both events in early 2020.

WRIC: 5:43.5, 5:45.2, 5:47.5

Crash B: 6:00.7, 6:02.9, 6:06.1

[Cyclist2]

I think "prestigious" is the wrong adjective. They both have their positive attributes.

The CRASH-B is the original and has all the history surrounding it. It just seems like a fun good-ol-boy event, very relaxed and low key (although the competition is certainly keen). It became the de facto "World Championship" by virtue of that.

The faster times at the WRIC are because it is the sanctioned event, and all the world's fastest are going to show up. Those are the times that the record books will reflect. It was held in Paris this last February, so I suspect most of the record seeking people spent their travel money going there, not to CRASH-B.

I've competed at both and of the two, the CRASH-B was a lot more fun, see above. If the WRIC is held overseas (not in the US for me), I'd do the CRASH-B. If it is in the US, it would be a tough decision but I'm not world class by a long stretch, no records in my future. I think the next time I'd opt for CRASH-B, or maybe both. I hope the virus gets resolved so that I can actually start thinking that way again - it's hard to get motivated to train for a virtual event where the competitors and audience are the same as every other workout I do in my garage.

[KeithT]

Another factor is the National Championship for the U.S. The first WRIC World event was in California and acted as the National Championship too. I got 2nd for nationals and 6th for world and it was a great event. When it moved overseas I didn't go and some others didn't either and the Crash-Bs became the national championship (I haven't done yet). Depending on where it is many US guys might not got to WRIC and do the Crash-Bs. Anyway, I think the WRIC will get mostly the best guys (evident by times) but Crash-Bs still a big deal.