FISA Executive Director Welcomes Amateur Rowing Group to Lausanne

Matt Smith greets FNT Rowing Tour

15 Amateur Rowers from across Europe were greeted today by FISA Executive Director Matt Smith during a stop in Lausanne as part of their four-day rowing tour of Lake Geneva.

The FNT group (“FISA Nachlese Team” – referring to their previous participation in the Official FISA Tour) set off on Thursday with a trip down the Lake towards Geneva. Today the 15 rowers set off eastbound from Morges, Switzerland towards the Olympic Capital and home of the International Rowing Federation – Lausanne.

Matt Smith was waiting to greet the group as they docked their Church Boat on the keys in Ouchy (Lausanne) outside the Olympic Museum. He then escorted the rowers to the Museum, where they will spend a few hours visiting the recently renovated exhibitions of the museum.

“It is a big honour for us to be able to dock here, in Lausanne, by the Olympic museum and be met by the Executive Director of FISA” said group leader and organiser Rainer Härtner from Germany.

The first edition of the FNT took place in 2000 on the Rhein, in Germany. Since then, additional participants have joined the group. Last year, the Tour made it’s way through Finland – home of the traditional Church Boat.

The group will continue its route east, and is set to dock in the picturesque village of Cully. The journey will continue on Saturday and Sunday towards Montreux  “We have no particular goal, but will make our way and see how far we get. It will also depend on docking possibilities” says Härtner.

It is not yet decided where the Tour will go next year. If you would like to find out more, or join the group on it’s next excursion please contact Rainer Härtner on rainer.haertner@t-online.de.