1912 Olympic Games Official Report Part 2

This was one of the most exciting heats in the round. Both crews rowed well fromthe start at 40 and 44 respectively, this speed afterwards falling to 32—36. The boatsmoved along rapidly side by side, but, in spite of the calls made by the strokes,neither crew showed any unevenness. Belgium led by about half a length at theboathouse, but the Norwegians had a lot in reserve and, after a brilliant finish,where the four rowed like one man, the last-named crew passed the post a clearlength in front. Time 7.05.Heat 4. 1.20 p. m. GERMANY rowed alone over the course. Time 7.14.Semi=Finals.Friday, 19 July.Heat 1. 1.30 p. m.GERMANY (Ludwigshafen) DENMARK (Polyteknic R. C.)D. L.The Danes rowed very energetically from the start and led by about half alength at the 500 met. mark. Here, however, the Germans came on with a short,powerful spurt, which gave them a lead that was afterwards retained, apparentlywithout any great effort, and was gradually increased to c:a 2~~1, lengths, thedistance separating the boats at the finish. The German crew possessed greatphysical power and was of a comparatively mature average age, features also characteristicof the English four representing the Thames Rowing Club. Ludwigshafenrowed, it is true, a pretty short stroke forwards, but, backwards, it was of a goodlength, with a quiet, finished recovery, and a powerful pull through the water. N:r 3,with his billowing Germanic beard, reminded one of a Viking, and his appearancecontrasted strangely with that of the other oarsmen, most of whom were cleanshaven or had only small moustaches. Time 6.59.Heat 2. 2 p. m.GREAT BRITAIN (Thames R. C.) NORWAY (Christiania R. C.)D. L.With an energetic spurt, Thames took the lead from the very start, and 500metres later the Norwegian boat was nearly a length behind. Thames kept its samerapid stroke even when the 1,000 met. mark was passed, rowing in good stylefrom 34-36 to the Norwegians’ 32—34. The last-named crew, however, pulleditself together for a spurt when close to the bath-house, so that at the bridge therewas only a length between the boats.In the finish, the Norwegians showed such energy, and rowed in such fine style,that their effort will be remembered as one of the most noteworthy episodes ofthe regatta. Inch by inch they crept up to the leaders, so that, in spite of theenergetic, really desperate strokes of the Thames crew, the two boats passed the postalmost simultaneously. The Norwegians, however, were about 3 met. behind their opponentswhose time was 7.04~/~. The Norwegians did the distance in ‘/6 sec. more.Final.Friday, 19 July.5.30 p. m.GERMANY (Ludwigshafen) GREAT BRITAIN (ThamesR. C.)L. D.670