Germany takes lead in World Rowing Cup

With that benefit it is perhaps not surprising that Germany has now taken the lead in the World Cup series points table. Germany finished the Hamburg regatta with 79 points and, adding it to the 59 that they scored in Munich, this gives them a very comfortable lead over all other countries.

Germany boated a mixture of their top crews and under 23 athletes. The strength of their rowing programme was evident in them winning both the men’s and women’s eights as well as the women’s quadruple sculls, with a silver medal spot in the men’s quadruple sculls.

But the Germans moving into the top points position can also be credited to Great Britain not taking part in the second World Rowing Cup, held last weekend in Hamburg, Germany. Great Britain won the first round in Munich with 79 points. This Munich margin was enough to hold the British in second overall at this stage of the series.

New Zealand arrived in Europe in time for the Hamburg World Cup and at their opening international regatta of the season, the team scored six gold medals. The golds included an utterly dominating performance by Eric Murray and Hamish Bond in the men’s pair. Mahe Drysdale also showed complete control over his competition in the men’s single sculls and the women’s pair of Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown won easily.

This result for New Zealand, along with a silver and a bronze medal, earned the nation 57 points and propelled them to third overall on the table.

Poland follows in fourth overall with 50 points with China on 48 and in fifth place.

Of the countries competing, 23 scored World Cup points. This included Argentina, Latvia and Portugal who are not regulars on the points table.

The World Rowing Cup points are awarded in the 14 World Cup (Olympic) events only going in a descending order starting with eight points for a win. The country with the most points at the end of the three World Cups is awarded the overall World Cup trophy.

The Samsung World Rowing Cup now moves to Lucerne, Switzerland’s famous Rotsee regatta course for round three of the series. This will be held from 8 – 10 July, 2011 and the number of boats entered is expected to reach record amounts as Great Britain return to international racing and Australia arrive on the scene. This regatta is also the last chance for crews to eyeball their competition before the World Rowing Championships and Olympic Qualification Regatta takes place in Bled, Slovenia at the end of August.