or1980v2pt1

Rowing
The rowing competitions were held
from July 20 to 27 (with one reserve
day) at the Canoeing and Rowing
Basin in Krylatskoye (seating
capacity—15,730 including temporary
stands). With those watching from a
field for spectators some 21,000
people could attend the competitions.
The basin has two courses—the
main one (width—125 m) and the
return one (76 m) which are separated
by an island (width—75 m). A circular
cycling path was made on the island
for trainers, and stands for 1,200 were
installed there.
The main course was marked off
according to the Albano system and,
despite the fact that according to
International Rowing Federation
(FISA) regulations not more than six
boats may start at once, the course
was divided into 8 lanes, which made
it possible to move the boats to one of
the shores in case of a strong side
wind so as to create approximately
equal conditions for them.
New starting devices—sinkable
rafts, which were endorsed by the
FISA, were used for the first time at
rowing competitions.
Minibuses, which followed the race
along the canal, were provided for the
judges and team trainers.
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Special vehicles, trailers and semitrailers,
designed and manufactured
for the Games by Soviet enterprises,
were used to transport boats, oars,
outboard and inboard motors, gas
tanks and various equipment.
Under an agreement with the
OCOG-80, the firms Alfred Shempli
AG. (Switzerland), Bootswerft Empacher
AG. (FRG), and the Dzintars
Experimental Sports Vessel Plant
(USSR) serviced and repaired boats.
Aside from the Rowing Basin itself,
training sessions were held at the
Trud rowing centre, situated close to
the canal on the Moscow River.
National teams were able to rent
out boats from the Organising Committee
for training sessions and competitions.
Trainers were provided with
bicycles.
Functioning at the Rowing Basin
was information equipment supplied
by Swiss Timing (Switzerland). It included:
photo-finish apparatus (accuracy
within 0.01 sec);
video-finish apparatus (accuracy
within 0.01 sec);
motion-time apparatus with automatic
printing of results and pertinent
equipment at the starting line,
portions of the distance and finish line