Racing eights through Europe's capital cities

The Capital Cup is a new initiative connecting for the first time national rowing federations from Central and Central Eastern Europe. For this inaugural event, nearly 100 eights from junior to masters categories took part. Entries came from Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Germany.

The competition included men’s and women’s eights, octuples and mixed eights with a handicap system ensuring equal opportunities for all boats. To compete for the overall Capital Cup, at least four members of the crew must have participated in all three races.

The Cup began in Budapest on 21 March covering a 4500m race course. It then went on to Bratislava for a 7800m race and then finished with the third race of 6000m in Vienna on 16 May, 2015. All were raced on the Danube River.

The final stage, the WienerAchter Regatta in Vienna, saw Hungary’s Gyor VSEK eight hit the start line chasing the Csepel EK eight (also from Hungary) into downtown Vienna. The two teams were fighting for victory and Gyor VSEK ended as the overall winner. Csepel EK was second with Austria’s mixed Vienna eight in third.

Gyor VSEK became the inaugural winners of the Capital Cup, described it as a massive ’30kg of pride.’

Horst Nussbaumer, President of the Austrian Rowing Federation, speaking alongside his colleagues Szabolcs Tamas Benyi (HUN) and Alexander Denes (SVK) said, “The idea to organise this regatta series in the three capitals has a special charm, and we hope to have found a great tradition with it. We are happy about all initiatives which promote the attractiveness of rowing. In particular, eights races contribute to the positioning of our sport, draw large crowds of spectators and can be easily marketed to the media.”

Gergely Orban (HUN) and Daniel Drobil (AUT), the main organisers of the Capital Cup, agree; “The Cup unites the resources of several federations in one event – that is a great chance for rowing. It’s the beginning of a great tradition!”

Next year, Capital Cup II will also include Croatia’s capital city Zagreb – home of the Sinkovic brothers – adding a fourth regatta to the event. It will begin on 7 November, 2015 with a 4000m head race that includes a turn. Various countries have already committed to send teams including Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria, Serbia, Hungaria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania and Great Britain.

The other Capital Cup II regattas in 2016 will be held in March, April and May 2016.

For more information:

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/hungary-goes-racing

http://budapestcup.danubiusnhe.com

Information thanks to: Daniel Drobil