Karsten's Winter Winning Continues

Ekaterina Karsten at 2004 Silverskiff Regatta
© Silverskiff

Direct from success at the Armada Cup in Switzerland, Ekaterina Karsten of Belarus continued to show her strength in the long distance head racing season when she broke Italy's Elisabetta Brugo's eight year winning streak to finish first in the International Silver Skiff Regatta in Turin, Italy over the weekend.

Karsten's time of 45.08 placed her 29th overall for the 11 kilometre course on the river Po.  Solely for single scullers, 225 masters and elite athletes lined up on Sunday to race the scenic course which shows off local castles and parks. The up-and-back course starts and finishes at the Cerea Rowing Club, the oldest and one of the most traditional rowing clubs in Italy dating back to 1863.
Fastest overall was this year's Olympic silver medallist in the single, Jueri Jaanson of Estonia.  Jaanson completed the course in 41.28 finishing just outside the current course record. He was followed by Italy's top lightweight Elia Luini with up-and-coming, under 23 Italian, David Nestola finishing third.

Jueri Jaanson wins 2004 Silverskiff Regatta
© Silverskiff

Organiser Alberto Graziano said afterwards that the race did not offer the best conditions for breaking the course record."It was because of a contrary wind during the second part of the course that the Estonian could not break the record of the 11 km of this year's competition, that has said to have been extremely sharp but so wonderful in its environment."

The race also features various masters competitions.  Achille Giovanotti of France continued to break records. At 78 years old, Giovanotti completed his 11th Silver Skiff and added win number 11 to his collection.  Giovanotti's competed at the 1952 Olympic Games when he raced in the single. He can now add to his credits the record for the most Silver Skiff victories.

The fastest sculler won 700 Euros.  A bonus of 1,000 Euros for beating the course record remained unclaimed. The record is held by Germany's recently retired Andre Willms who set the record of 40.53 in 2003.

The challenge started in 1992 as a locker room joke, but soon the challenge became serious growing to its current format of over 200 competitors from 14 countries.  The junior "Kinder Skiff" opened the regatta on Saturday followed by the main event on Sunday.  The Silver Skiff is now included as part of FISA's international racing calendar.

For race results go to: www.silverskiff.org