Nereus Club Dominates Heineken Roeivierkamp in Amsterdam

Sydney silver medallists in the quadruple sculls – Michiel Bartman and Diederik Simon were just two of the top rowers who lead the Nereus club to victory at the 30^th edition of the Heineken Roeivierkamp in Amsterdam, Netherlands this week-end (March 16 and 17).

Nereus – the organising student rowing club – remained unbeaten over all four of the multi-distance races of the two-day event in both the women's and men's eight.

In the men’s, Bartman and Simon were seconded by crew-mates Coen Eggenkamp, Ivo Snijders, Gerard van der Linden, Thomas Dirksmeier, Tijs Groot, Gijs Vermeulen and cox Chun Wei Cheung.

The women’s eight event was taken by Laura Posthuma, Femme Harinck, Marlou Scholtes, Pauline Heijblom, Christine Vink, Sarah Siegelaar, Marloes Bolman, Sydney olympian Femke Dekker and cox Mai Thieme.

The Heineken Roeivierkamp – also called the Open Dutch All-round Rowing championships is traditionally raced over four distances – 250 metres, 750 metres, 2500 metres and 5000 metres – which must be completed by all the teams. The general ranking is reached by converting all times to 250 metre times. The sum of these converted times provides the final score.

The five-kilometre event never fails to provide some real excitement, and this year was no exception as the fastest boats started last and had to make up time, taking part in some spectacular overtaking and providing the crowds with some great racing. One crew, however, had to be rescued as it capsized after hitting a bridge 100 meters before the finish.

Rowing masters were also part of the event, joining in in the long distance spring races. Six out of eight rowers from the 1972 Dutch Olympic men's eight raced were reunited once again on the water. Several rowers from the 1968 Games in Mexico City were also back for a row.

Crews from the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and even Moldova took part in this year’s Heineken Roeivierkamp.

The all-round event traditionally opens the Dutch rowing season, 249 boats came into action on the river Amstel in Amsterdam. Twice as many will row the Head of the River Amstel next Sunday.