X marks the spot
Olympic champ Mueller launches bid for world rowing title
Posted: Sunday September 06, 1998 05:07 PM
COLOGNE, Germany (AP) -- Switzerland's Olympic champion Xeno
Mueller successfully launched his campaign for a title at the world
rowing championships on Sunday, qualifying directly for the
semifinals of the men's single scull.
Mueller, a gold medalist in Atlanta two years ago, completed the
2,000 meter heat in 6 minutes, 54 seconds and 97 seconds, ahead of
American James Koven.
Koven will get another opportunity to qualify in a repechage
heat, along with Olympic silver medalist Derek Porter of Canada.
The Canadian finished third in his heat, won by Czech Vaclav
Chalupa.
Rob Waddell of New Zealand and Iztok Cop of Slovenia also
advanced to the semis.
Russia's sculling sensation Irina Fedotova, winner of all three
World Cup events in her first season racing in single scull,
qualified for the women's semifinal, recording the fastest time of
all the heats to finish first in 7:28.78.
Germany's Katrin Rutschow won her leg in 7:29.24, while Trine
Hansen of Denmark crossed first in hers in 7:33.94.
In the men's coxless four, quadruple Olympic gold medalists
Steve Redgrave, double gold medalist Matthew Pinsent, Tim Foster
and James Cracknell began the defense of their title, winning their
heat in 6:04.58.
The Britons will get plenty of challenge from the fast, young
Australian four Geoffrey Stewart, Boden Hanson, Benjamin Dodwell
and James Stewart, who crossed in a blistering 6:03.55. The Italian
crew Walter Molea, Riccardo Di Rossi, Lorenzo Carboncini, Carlo
Mornati, who won their heat in 6:04.03, also advanced straight to
the semifinals.
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