Fast racing, new faces - Euro Open

Euro Open Amsterdam 2004
© Sybrand Treffers

The Sporthallen Zuid in Amsterdam, the Netherlands was alive to the sound of 56 continuously whirring indoor rowing machines as competitors pitted themselves against each other and the challenge of completing 2,000 metres as fast as possible at the second annual Euro Open indoor rowing competition.

Eight hours and 1,600 competitors later Latvia’s Kristaps Bokums was the fastest. Bokums made his mark earlier this year when his lofty 205cm frame finished first in the single at the World Under 23 Regatta. Bokums was the only rower to go under 5.50 at this year’s Euro Open. The next fastest time went to Sjoerd Hamburger of the Netherlands.

Hamburger is already familiar with Bokums’ speed after finishing third in the single at the Under 23 Regatta. At 203cm Hamburger is hardly dwarfed by Bokums and these two scullers are likely to see a lot more of each other next season on the water.

Fastest woman of the day Hurnet Dekkers of the Netherlands finished easily ahead of her closest rival Marjolijn Stenneke, also of the Netherlands. Dekkers sat in the middle of the bronze medal winning Olympic eight in Athens this summer and as the Euro Open doubles as the Dutch Championships Dekkers put herself in good stead to continue her rowing career on the Dutch National Team. Although not a personal best time, Dekkers finished in a solid 6.39.

Over 1,000 participants from the Netherlands raced with the remainder of entries coming from around the world. Great Britain’s squad of close to 100 competitors was the largest overseas contingent. Squad member and non-rower Nik ‘Big Bird’ Fleming made his mark by winning the 30+ category and setting a new Euro Open record. This is the 14th time Fleming has gone under six minutes over the 2,000 metre distance.

The 11 member United States team left with 11 medals – seven of them gold – including a gold for 16 year old Chris Pomer who easily won his category in a time of 6.08.

Although no world records were broken United States team manager Robert Brody said the event went extremely well. “There were no personal bests,” said Brody. “But none of the times of the day were really fast.”

One of the last races of the day and perhaps the one that generated the most interest was the 4x1000m relay. Great Britain’s Carole McNally, Kelly Sapsford, Kay Hughes and Carol Dunbar, racing for charity, spiced up the competition with fancy dress that left little to the imagination – suspenders, stockings, high heels – a new trend in rowing attire may have begun. Live video streaming of this race on the Concept 2 web site received over 2,500 hits within the first couple of hours. 

The event finished with a post race party with the hosts, the Nereus Boat Club, where competitors from around the world celebrated their days racing with food and drink.

The Euro Open will move to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2005.

For more results please go to: www.nereus.nl/euro-open/

Thank you to Jon Goodall for his contribution.