07 Dec 2011
Swiss Rowing Season Finale Success
25 eights and a 20 person scull took part in the fifth Swiss Life Rowing Classic last Saturday on Lake Lucerne. The winner of this exceptional race was a German crew from Berlin/Radolfszell/Friedrichshafen/Würzburg clubs. The best Swiss crew finished 3rd, two minutes behind.
The winners took the lead right from the start and increased their advantage all along the race. They finished the 11.5km course in 36:38.21. The fastest women’s crew ? from the German rowing club of Giessen finished in 42:40.13, taking the 11th position overall.
In the Masters category, the Renngemeischaft Rheinfelden/Waldshut were fastest, also securing a 4th overall place.
The only Swiss victory in the event was realised in the Juniors category, with Regattateams Richterswil/Wädenswil crossing the finish line in 40:47.02. The local crew Stansstader-Mannschaft took third place both in the overall standing and in the senior category.
As for the 20 person scull, it finished in 38:56.76 in a category of it’s own!
The winning crew was awarded the Swiss Life Rowing Classics Cup, and the winner of each category went away with a watch donated by one of the co-sponsors.
This event is one of the top long distance rowing regattas. Held on Lake Lucerne, it takes rowers from the town of Lucerne, past picturesque villages and through beautiful scenery to the town of Stansstad. Lake Lucerne cannot boast the same perfect rowing conditions as the famous Rotsee nearby (where the 2001 Rowing World Championships were held), but this is partly where the challenge of the Swiss Life Rowing Classics lies – the many bends and choppier waters demand high standard rowing techniques as well as excellent teamwork.
The satisfactory turnout and flawless organisation of this years Swiss Life Rowing Classics has confirmed that this event has risen to the standard of a real Rowing Classic.