Rowers pick Wanganui

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 30

Rowers pick Wanganui

PA Auckland The West German and New Zealand preparations for the world rowing championships on Lake Karapiro in November will run on a parallel course. Both teams will enter camp for their final training on the same day, October 2. The West Germans will do their final training on the Wanganui River, the New Zealanders on the hydro lake at Mangakino. After this period of training both teams will move to Karapiro on the same day, October 21.

The parallel circumstances will run on into the championships, with both countries using West Germanmanufactured Empacher shells.

Plans for the West German team to train at Wanganui were completed during the visit last week of two officials of the West German Rowing Association, Messrs Jeurgew Piagemann and Leo Wolloner. While Mr Piagemann went hunting for a training location, Mr Wolloner, the technical director for Empacher boats, settled the requirements for the New Zealand shells to be

used at the championships. Mr Piagemann found his shangri-la on the banks of the Wanganui River. Wanganui, it appears, has a special charm for the West German team, numbering some 65 men and women plus doctors, managers and a coach for individual crews. Not only are the waters ideal for rowing but there is ample accommodation available within easy walking distance of the river. When it was learnt the

West Germans were interi ested in Wanganui for a f training site there was an • instant offer from the Union I Club to strip its shed of i boats and give the visitors ' full rein. The West German build-up to the championships was ■ further emphasised late last ' week when the directors for rowing in the West German Sports Ministry also arrived : in New Zealand.