Germany eyes up the eight

After analysing the results of the last three Olympics, new head coach Hartmut Buschbacker has looked at how to make it possible to medal in four years time.

Buschbacker said in the German Rowing Federation press release, “We were able to win no gold medals in the eight, in neither the men nor the women since 1988. In addition there has been no medal since 2000. For me the achievements internationally are insufficient. We must promote in the future more competitive pressure. We need confidence and optimism.”

The plan to 2012 is summarised in four points. These include an increase in individual efficiency with more of a focus on small boats in 2009 and 2010. Then in 2011 and 2012 the move will be into establishing the larger boats.

Buschbacker notes that there are many talented German rowers with potential and he sees that they need to be motivated towards 2012.  “We need a team in order to win. The entire rowing association must be part of it. Only a strong association can develop fast large boats.”

Already in 2009 Buschbacher plans to have the makings of a strong eight.

The start of this mission began with the small boat championships raced in Brandenburg, Germany in the last weekend of April. Leading the way in the men’s pair was Gregor Hauffe and Florian Menningen who finished just a fraction ahead of Toni Seifert and Sebastian Schmidt. The competition was tough with over 25 entries. Marlene Sinnig and Kerstin Hartmann won the equivalent women’s pair race.

In the singles races Olympian (fourth in the lightweight double) Marie-Louise Draeger had a comfortable win in the lightweight women’s single with 18 year old newcomer, Lars Hartig winning the lightweight men’s single. Hartig was one of more than 32 entries in this event.

Leading the women’s single was Peggy Waleska ahead of Christiane Huth. Waleska, an Olympic medallist from Athens 2004, missed out on racing at Beijing after not making the cut for the women’s quad.

Marcel Hacker was again at the top of the men’s single race. Hacker beat second placed Stephan Krueger by two seconds in an event that attracted over 30 scullers.

There will be a second small boat regatta in Ratzeburg and following this a men’s and women’s eight will be selected 10 days before the second Rowing World Cup in Munich. After the third Rowing World Cup (in July) the final eight configuration will be selected for the World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland at the end of August.