MAY IMPRESSIONS IN THE SIGN OF ROWING
May on Ada Ciganlija and Sava Lake lasted in rowing regattas, from, the most important, 1st World Rowing Cup, through Youth League, to International Regatta
1st World Rowing Cup
From the time Sava Lake started to exist, in the seventies of the last century, in rowing calendar one of the most important rowing events on Ada Ciganlija will be written – 1st World Rowing Cup. Every year the elite world rowers, before World Rowing Championships or, as this year, before Olympic Games, are participating on three Regattas of World Rowing Cups. Belgrade had the honor to organize, for the first time in history, such important competition, from the 4th till 6th May on Sava Lake.
Serbian Rowing Federation’s office, with Secretary General, Nebojsa Jevremovic, and Director of the competition, Mladen Stegic, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and City of Belgrade, answered all strict criteria and tasks demanded by World Rowing Federation (FISA).
Great number of younger and older volunteers from sport contributed the whole organization, and we should emphasize that 20 members of RC Graficar with their effort also made their contribution that participants of the World Rowing Cup feel the hospitality of Belgrade and Serbia.
With today’s champions of the world rowing, Belgrade had the opportunity to welcome many former champions, such as Martin Cross form Great Britain, winner on the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, who traveled as BBC reporter.
Beside excellent organization, Martin said that Belgrade is fascinating, unusually cordial. Martin had heavy task to make interviews with competitors from the British team after each final race, so with 12 medals for British, his was very busy.
Competition passed in domination of Great Britain, with 4 Gold medals, and 12 medals in total. Right behind them is Germany with 3 Gold medals, and Points ranking looks like this: Great Britain 79 points, Germany 47 points, Netherland 25 points, etc.
One of the nations that has also stood out was Greece, with several crews, with National Coach, Gianni Postiglione, won 1 Gold medal, 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal, and once again showed why he was chosen for the Coach of the year (2011)
From all interesting races in female and male competition, special event was race of men’s single sculls. Besides Check, Ondrej SINEKA (Gold medal) who was main attraction, British, Allen Campbell (Silver medal), big surprise and great success was Cuban rower, Angel Furnije Rodrigez who won Bronze medal.
Finish of the men’s double scull race was interesting. It could be said that Slovenian crew with 40 years old (!) Istok Cop, at stroke position, who rowed against much younger rival from Germany and Great Britain, wining the Bronze medal could make up on, for him 6th (way to go!!!), Olympic Games in London.
British eight was also interesting, and one of the members of the crew was Greg Searle (40 years) winner on the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992.
Many competitors and Team Managers, who came to Belgrade for the first time, rated with excellent grades the organization of the World Rowing Cup, and fantastic regatta course as well. Even the New Zealand crew, land with many calm rowing lakes, said that Sava Lake is one of the top three rowing destinations in world.
Looking back, we haven’t won Gold medal on this World Cup, but as good hosts and excellent organizers it is for sure deserved in expecting further good rowing events on Ada Ciganlija.