Germany Tops World Cup Points

Germany’s Daniela Reimer winning the lightweight double with Claudia Blasberg
© Getty Images-David Rogers

The might of German rowing could not be questioned when they dominated finals day at the first BearingPoint Rowing World Cup in Poznan, Poland. Their impressive 54-point lead over nearest rival Denmark and Great Britain put them in good stead to win the overall World Cup trophy this season.

Of the 14 Olympic events that count towards World Cup points the German contingent had entries in all but one and by the end of the day the red, black and yellows had medals in these 13 plus an incredible six of the gold variety.

The biggest sweep was in the women’s double when three German crews completely locked out the competition by taking first, second and third on the medals podium. These six rowers, plus an ill Katrin Boron, are still in the selection process for their nation’s quad.

German supremacy in rowing can be attributed in part to an enviable stability of both athletes and coaches. The men’s four goes into their fourth year as the same line up and both the women’s and men’s eight remain virtually unchanged. The nation’s top woman single has been in the sole possession of Katrin Rutschow-Stomporowski since 1997 and Marcel Hacker has held the top male spot since 1999.

Danish stroke Eskild Ebbesen celebrates win with Thor Kristensen
© Getty Images-David Rogers

A strong showing by Denmark put them second equal with Great Britain in the overall points. The Danes were boosted by their powerful lightweight men’s rowing contingent who added top points in the lightweight men’s double and four but also showed heavyweight promise by finishing fourth in the open men’s four and pair.

Great Britain left with gold in the new-look women’s quad and men’s four and showed depth of strength across their rowing squad by winning points in the women’s pair and the men’s and women’s double.

These countries will meet again at the second BearingPoint World Cup on May 27^th in Munich, Germany.