Coupe a windfall for Great Britain

The 12-nation junior regatta saw Great Britain win the overall team trophy with 226 points. Italy was second on 198 points and Switzerland was third (116 points). This is the first time since 2009 that Italy has not won the overall team trophy.

Competitors numbering 265 from the 12 Coupe nations were impressed to be able to race at what is considered the Mecca of rowing, the Rotsee regatta course as usually the only international regatta to be held here is the final leg of the Samsung World Rowing Cup. The Rotsee lived up to its reputation with three days of perfect, flat water. Temperatures were hot, sometimes pushing into the mid-30s degrees Celsius.

Using a race format of heats and then two days of finals for the 13 events, competitors had a chance to go after medals twice. This saw Great Britain collect eight gold, seven silver and five bronze medals over the two days.

Both Great Britain and Italy sent a full team of 13 crews. Hungary and Portugal returned to racing after missing the regatta last year. In collaboration with FISA Youth Commission member, Axel Mueller, Chile joined the regatta with three boats. They raced out of competition so could not win medals or points.

Meetings following the regatta saw a change in Coupe de la Jeunesse presidency. Long-time executive committee member and president of the Coupe, Geoffrey Brook (GBR), retired as president. Brook had served from 1989 – 2001 as secretary-general and from 2001-2012 as president. Brook was elected honorary president of the Coupe. Successor to Brook will be Gary Harris (GBR). Harris has been a Coupe de la Jeunesse delegate in Great Britain since 2005 and is the deputy chairman of British Rowing. Harris will be supported by secretary-general Christian Stofer (SUI) and two technical assessors, Daniël Deweert (BEL) and Bas Labordus (NED). These four officers form the executive committee of the Coupe de la Jeunesse.

Two federations bid to host the 2015 event. The event was finally awarded to the Hungarian Rowing Federation. It will be held for the first time in Hungary on the Szeged International Regatta course in 2015.

The Coupe de la Jeunesse is used by the participating nations as a development regatta for those aiming for their country’s top junior team. It happens annually between some of the European nations. The countries involved are: Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Great Britain, Switzerland, Hungary and Poland.

In 2014 the Couple de la Jeunesse will be held in Libourne, France (near Bordeaux) from 1 – 3 August.

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