Report on Versailles International Match
GB Crews reached all four finals at the International Regatta held in the Gardens of the Chateau of Versailles on Saturday but were denied gold in the high quality competition. GB achieved a 2nd and three third places over the 1500m course in a spectacular festival of rowing on the lake created by King Louis XIV over 300 years ago.
The women’s quad could not recreate the form they showed at the Eton World Cup last week. In the final they lost a scull at half way and conceded the lead in the blustery conditions to finish behind Australia and France with Germany failing to complete the course.
The men’s quad, with Matthew Wells coming into the boat after his recovery from injury, turned the tables on France who had beaten them in the heat and gained a creditable second place half a second behind the Polish crew which won bronze at Eton.
The men’s and Women’s eights both finished third. Our women had two crew changes since Eton, losing Bebington through exam commitments and Page through illness, and this time conceded to Australia who beat a strong German crew. The men’s event was won by Eton winners, Germany, and the GB crew held second place until the last ten strokes when France squeezed through to take silver by a third of a second.
GB International Manager, David Tanner, said ‘This has been an enjoyable regatta with less at stake than the World Cup series but against top quality opposition. Some of crews could not quite create the ‘edge’ they showed on home water at Eton last week-end, but all showed that they are at the international standard and the racing provided good early season experience for our athletes, many of whom are new to top level competition’
Results
Quads
Women
1. Australia 4.45.35
2 France 4.46.02
3 GBR 4.46.70
4 Germany Did not finish
Men
1. Poland 4.15.41
2 GBR 4.15.99
3 France 4.16.89
4 Australia 4.22.89
Eights
Women
1. Australia 4.31.59
2. Germany 4.34.46
3. GBR 4.39 28
4. France 4.42.80
Men
1. Germany 4.06.32
2. France 4.09.59
3. GBR 4.09.94
