What is a time trial in rowing?
A · Advanced · Racing and winning · 3 of 12A time trial is a race in which crews start one after the other and are ranked by the time each takes to cover the course. It is the first round when an event has 67 or more crews, and officials can use it in place of side-by-side racing when weather or lost time leaves no better choice.
How it works
- The gap: crews start between 30 and 45 seconds apart, or as close to that as possible.
- The size: normally run as separate races of up to six crews, to keep the first and last starters in similar conditions.
- The order: in a first round the highest seed starts first. In later rounds crews start in order of their ranking in the round before.
- The start: at the top regattas crews go from a fixed start with the normal timing system. At an international regatta with suitable timing, a flying start may be used, with the clock running from the 100 metre point.
- The distance: 2,000 metres from a fixed start. With a flying start it should not be less than 1,900 metres.
- The lanes: in principle two lanes, if the officials decide the two are equal. Otherwise one.
- The times: recorded to the finest accuracy the photo-finish system has, as needed to rank the crews.
Tricky cases
Can a final be run as a time trial?
Yes. The officials may hold time trials "instead of or in combination with heats, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals".
Do crews race each other in a time trial?
No. The result comes from each crew's time alone, though a faster crew may catch the one ahead.
Who decides to switch to a time trial?
The president of the jury at an international regatta. At World Championships, the Games and World Cups the decision belongs to the Executive Committee or its delegate.
Why the rule exists
When wind makes one side of the course faster, six crews side by side do not get an equal race. Sending every crew down the same lane or two gives them the same water. The rules treat it as a fallback: except in very large events, time trials are not used where another option is available.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 63; RR App R8 |
| International regattas | A flying start is allowed where timing permits | RR App R8 (5 a) |
| Top regattas | Fixed start only. The device that holds the bows is not used | RR App R8 (5 b) |
| Events of 67 crews or more | The first round is one time trial for all crews | RR App R7 (Case 12); RR App R8 (2 a) |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rule 63, Appendix R8 and the bye-laws to Rule 64. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).