N.Z. Four And Eight Both Reach Final

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32395, 7 September 1970, Page 24

N.Z. Four And Eight Both Reach Final

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

ST CATHARINES (Canada).

The New Zealand rowing crews have already justified all the efforts by so many at home to get them to St Catherines. Both the eight and the four have reached the finals of the world championships.

This is an excellent effort in this class of rowing, where already some of the biggest rowing nations of the 30 competing have been eliminated.

were left straightening their boat as the order to start was given. They protested at the finish after stopping 300 metres down the course. After a long session with the 12 countries involved in the semi-finals the racing committee decided to allow Australia to row as a No. 7 boat in the grand final today The only provision was that on the evening of the semifinals the Australians must

row the course on their own at a “racing pace.” The popularity of the New Zealanders among the Canadians is unbelievable. Everyone is backing the eight and even many European correspondents are swinging their opinion a little more away from East Germany.

The four came through the course at 34 strokes a minute and for most of the race was lying second and content to stay there as the first three would qualify for the final today. Over the last 500 yards the New Zealanders raised their rating to 37 and finished third. Argentina came through strongly to go from third to first over the last 300 yards and win the race from West Germany, the odds-on favourite. New Zealand has joined East Germany, West Germany, Norway, Russia and Argentina for the final. The eight was impressive and under-rated every other crew right down the course. The New Zealanders rowed a steady 35 and at the finish held off all comers to cross the line at a 34 stroke rating. West Germany came at New Zealand at 43 but looked desperately rushed. Russia just pipped the Germans by 6in to take second place. The crowd of 5000 gave the New Zealand crew a standing ovation as they rowed back past the stands. As with the four, they were under instructions to race within themselves and even at the line could not be panicked into any high-rating sprints. Even so, the time of smin 56.65ec was faster by Isec than the other semi-finalist winner. East Germany. The seven finalists are New Zealand, Russia, Poland. West Germany, East Germany, Hungary and Australia.

The four has been given an outside chance with most people at St Catharines but not in the New Zealand camp

The coach (Mr R. Robertson) has been watching all fours carefully and is quick to point out that only one crew was faster in the eliminations, and that was West Germany. Two of the world’s top oarsmen won their semi-final heats in the single sculls. J. Meissner (West Germany), silver medallist at the 1968 Mexico Olympics, won the first heat and A. Demiddi (Argentina), the present European champion, won the second.

Meissner was second to Demiddi in the European championships. In the single sculls I. Malishev (Russia) led the first heat but lost steering control and veered into Meissner’s boat about 300 yards from the finish. The Russian ended second to advance to the final along with G. Bombelli (Italy).

L. Balter (Sweden), Z. Bromek (Poland), and H. Kraakenes (Norway, at 44 the oldest -oarsman competing) all dropped into today’s contest for the last places. Semi-final results (first three „“ a ! ? ."L ea , ch race through to finals today): Coxed Fours.—-First heat: Argentina 1, East Germany 2, New Zealand 3, United States 4. Italy 5. Netherlands 6. Time: b:45.41. Second heat: West Germany 1, Norway 2, Russia 3, Switzerland 4. France 5. Britain 6. Time: 6:34.46.

The Australian crew protested about the start of the first semi-final when they

Coxless Pairs.—-First heat: Fast Germany 1, West Germany 2. Russia 3, United States 4 Argentina 5, Britain 6. Time: 7:03.98. Second heat: Poland 1, Switzerland 2, Netherlands 3, Australia 4. Time: 7:09.29. Coxless Fours.—First heat: East Germany 1, Russia 2, West Germany 3. Time: 6:27.09. Single Sculls.—First heat: J. Meissner (West Germany) 1, I. Malishev (Russia) 2, G. Bombeli (Italy) 3. Time: 7:25.43. Second heat: A. Demiddi (Argentina) 1, G. Draeger (East Germany) 2, .1. Dietz (United States) 3. Time: 7:32.09. Coxed Pairs.—First heat: Russia 1, East Germanv 2, Czechi lovakia 3, Denmark 4, Belgium 5, Australia 6. Time: 7:35.04. Second heat: Rumania 1. Italy 2, West Germany 3, Finland 4, Austria 5, United States 6. Time: 7:36.40.

Eights.—First heat: East Germany 1, Hungary 2, Poland 3, Britain 4, United States 5, Australia 6. Time: 5:57.67 (unofficial). Australia protested about the start—protest upheld, moved to seven-boat final. Second heat: New Zealand 1, Russia 2, West Germany 3. Time: 5:56.62.