20 January 2017

Göran R Buckhorn writes:

The 2017 World Rowing Championships are going to be held between 23 September and 1 October at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota–Bradenton, Florida. Being an American event, of course these championships need a mascot, so a pelican was chosen. And what would a mascot of a world class event be without a name? Nothing, obviously! The organising committee of the championships asked the public for help and name suggestions came in via social media and e-mail. On Wednesday, the 2017 World Rowing Championships announced that the bird’s name will be… ‘Scully’.

Scully got nearly 60 per cent of the 1,373 votes that came in. Other names were Skylar, Oarson, Paddles and Rowan. Votes came in from two dozen countries across five continents, including The Czech Republic, Canada, Japan, South Africa and New Zealand.

‘We are so incredibly thrilled by the response to the mascot naming competition,’ said Meredith Scerba, the executive director of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. ‘We believe such enthusiasm bodes well for the Championships and indicates that excitement is really building for the event.’

Scully’ can be booked for school, party and other functions.

For more information about the 2017 World Rowing Championships, click here.