West German “bulls” are “genuine amateurs”

Press, 27 September 1978, Page 22

West German “bulls” are “genuine amateurs”

Bonn The “bulls,” as the heavy-weights of 92kg and more who made up the eight are known, were the pride of the West German Rowing Association at the time of the almost legendary coach and “rowing professor,” Karl Adam. In the 19505, they were regarded as practically unbeatable. For the last decade or so the situation has altered: the “bulls,” like the other boats from West Germany, are struggling to match the best in the world after years of transition and rebuilding. The efforts being made before the world championships at Lake Karapiro from November 1 to 5 are greater than ever before. Over the last few months, the squad of 40 which has been selected to represent West Germany has been training twice daily — without exception. Between 25 and 30km are being rowed in the mornings and afternoons by the eight, according to its 38-year-old trainer, Hans-Werner Martin. “My boys are doing nothing else apart from rowing, and for months now they have disregarded

their studies and their professions. To make up for this they want to at least win bronze again — as they did in Amsterdam in 1977,” he said. The West German rowers are genuine amateurs who make a lot of personal sacrifices for their sport. An additional handicap: there is scarcely a crew from the same place. Practically all the boats are made up of rowers from different clubs. In the coxed four, for instance, there are rowers from Hanover and Cologne. In the eight the “bulls” come from clubs and towns such as Mainz, Mannheim, Berlin, Ludwigshafen and Essen. Although, given those ‘ circumstances, there can be no talk of ideal training possibilities, the team hopes to be in the hunt for medals. The West German Rowing Association, with its 360-odd clubs and 70,000 members has no illusions. A 24-year-old sports student, Gabriel Konertz, a member of the coxed four, which won the silver medal in 1977, assesses the situation soberly: “We must make the best out of our limited financial possi-

bilities and the time we have available. Without a large slice of luck, there is no chance of a gold medal.” On Lake Karapiro, West Germany will take part in five of the eight mens classes and the women will contest the double, fours and in the eight. The former world single sculls champion, PeterMichael Kolbe, has had nagging injuries and his entry may not be confirmed until a short time before the events. The efforts of the 40 rowers are aimed at a success quota of four medals which could possibly mean another third place behind the “great rowing powers” — East Germany and the Soviet Union. The West German team will spend a week in training at the Rowing Academy in Ratzeburg in north Germany before leaving for New Zealand on September 30. It will then spend time at a training camp at Wanganui to get used to the unfamiliar conditions of the New Zealand spring. The team will switch from Wanganui to Lake Karapiro on October 22. — IN-Press.