Germany Wins the Schleswag Canal Cup

The German men’s eight won the first edition of the Schleswag Canal Cup in front of 100,000 cheering spectators last weekend. Aided by a slight tailwind, the Germans have now set the time to beat in the future for the 13 km regatta: 37 minutes and 20 seconds.

The American men’s eight crossed the finish line on the Nord Otsee canal 40 seconds later followed by a Dutch men’s eight who clocked in 60 seconds after the wining German boat.

Encouraged by the 10,000 DM prize money for the first place boat, German head coach Dieter Grahn shuffled his crew around in order to find the winning combination. The German eight was composed of four of the rowers that made up this year’s World Championship bronze medal winning eight together with the silver medal winning coxless four crew.

And the tactic looks to attract others “It would be good if we could team up with our quad for next year’s Canal Cup” said Dutch team veteran Peter van der Noort.

The long distance race was held on the world’s busiest man made waterway that runs between the North and Baltic seas around 80 km north of Hamburg. The water traffic was suspended for an hour to allow for racing.

The massive turn out that lined the edges of the canal made for impressive effect. Crowds had gathered at the finish line a full hour and a half before the first boat crossed the line.

“They were all clapping and cheering. It was like when a cyclist goes up the Alpe d’Huez in the Tour de France. It’s awesome!” said Dutch stroke Stephan van Dongen.