The International Rowing Federation (FISA) said Wednesday that the start of the 2005 world rowing championships will be postponed for 48 hours due a powerful typhoon approaching Japan's Pacific coast.
The competition being held at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course in Kaizu, Gifu Prefecture, will take place over six days from Aug. 30 instead of nine as originally planned (from Aug. 28-Sept. 4) as Typhoon Mawar is expected to hit mainland Japan on Thursday or Friday evening.
The regatta qualifying heats have been shortened from two days into one day, Aug. 30, with repechage races also to be carried out in one day, Aug. 31.
The final four days of races from Sept. 1-4 will remain unchanged.