Tracing the edge of Lake Geneva

Racing in the Tour du Lac Leman

It took thirty-three years, but they finally made it. For the first time a crew entirely composed of American rowers travelled all the way from the United States to compete in the Tour du Leman a l’aviron, on Lake Geneva in Switzerland on September 24.

Circumnavigating 160 kilometres around Lake Geneva the American crew of five from three different clubs finished second overall in 12 hours 48 minutes and in the process set a new masters category (age over 40) record for the coxed quad smashing eight minutes off the previous record set in 2003.

Overall 16 crews participated hailing from Germany, the United States, France, Hungary and Switzerland leaving from the city of Geneva at 9am to return after dark at the other end of the day.

Chairman of the organising committee Stéphane Trachsler said the conditions were ideal. ?Fifteen crews reached the finish line. One, unfortunately, had to give up because of injury,? said Trachsler.

160km of scenic rowing

The winning crew from Germany’s Bonner Ruder-Verein 1882 e.V./Mainzer Ruder-Verein e.V.  finished in 12 hours 28 minutes, the fifth best time in the history of the Tour.

The current record was set by a coxed quad from Bonn, Switzerland in 2000 when they finished in 11 hours 58 minutes.

The difference in the arrival times between the winner and the final crew was four hours and fifteen minutes.

Related Links
2004 Tour du Lac Leman

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