Germany Tastes Italy's Strength - World Cup Points Tally

The German team struggled with health problems that forced top single sculler Marcel Hacker and sculling hero Kathrin Boron to withdraw before the regatta had started. The sickness curse continued during the regatta as the World Champion men’s quad pulled out after Marco Geisler became too ill to continue. Rene Bertram, bow of the men’s double, also withdrew due to back problems.

Germany however still maintained a healthy 77-point lead over number two on the table, Great Britain. This comfortable lead was boosted by the strength of the German women’s sculling programme with first place finishes in the lightweight women’s double and the women’s quad.

But it was Italy’s men that demonstrated pure winning potency by securing four gold medals in the lightweight men’s double and lightweight men’s four as well as the men’s pair and men’s double. What’s more to produce these results Italy toppled the current World Champions in both the lightweight men’s four and the men’s double.

This accelerated Italy up the overall World Cup standings table and into the top five despite Munich being their first World Cup of the season. Italy gained a total of 39 points.

Following closely behind Italy, Canada also burst onto the standings table at their first World Cup for the season finishing in sixth position with 37 points. The Canadian success was led by the men’s sweep programme. Canada is currently World Champions in the men’s four and eight and they re-established their front-running position by winning both of these events.

Great Britain hung on to second spot overall thanks largely to the efforts of the British women and a first place finish in the women’s pair. Medals were also gained in the women’s double and quad with double sculler Sarah Winckless filling into the quad and finishing with two silver medals for her effort. 

Points for the three World Cups are awarded in Olympic events only and work on a descending scale starting at eight points for a win. Following the Munich World Cup there are 33 countries on the points table with the top five places filled by Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and Italy.

Countries will meet again at the third and final World Cup for 2004 in Lucerne, Switzerland from 18 ? 20 June.