André Willms wins 2003 Silver Skiff

André Willms from Germany (two-time Olympic gold medallist and six-time World Champion) won the Silver Skiff regatta in Italy on Sunday, November 12, breaking the record with a total time of 40'59?.

The Silver Skiff has been a single scull event for the past 11 years and became an official FISA race last year. Sponsored by Empacher, it takes place on the Po River over a distance of 11'000 meters between Moncalieri and the centre of Turin.

Stephan VOLKERT of RTHC Bayer finished second with 42'11?.8 and Ruben RUBIO of Barcelona came in third with 42'34?.4.

The best Italian rowers, including previous recordman Elia LUNI (41'06?), were unable to participate due to a federal meeting called by the Italian Rowing Federation that same day. Consequently, the best Italian performance was by junior world champion Marcello MIANI, with 42'42?.

Elisabetta BRUGO, of the Esperia of Turin, won the ladies regatta for the seventh time, with 45'03?.8, followed by the British P.L. champion Mathilde PAULS of the London rowing club.

207 rowers from Brazil, Mexico, Denmark, Great Britain, Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria competed in the regatta. 115 of them were teenagers aged 11 to 14 who also raced in the 4'000 meter Kinderskiff regatta on Saturday.

For results and photos go to www.silverskiff.org and www.fotorowing.com.