German boats continue dominance at world rowing championships
Posted: Tuesday September 08, 1998 12:32 AM
COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) -- Germany enjoyed another good day at the world rowing championships Monday with eight more boats navigating their way safely through the first round.
With the five crews who went through Sunday, the hosts have a total of 13 boats in the semifinals or finals -- more than double any other country with the exception of Italy and the United States, which have nine and eight, respectively.
The Germans were led by its men's eight, which booked a spot in next Sunday's final after winning their heat ahead of Britain, and clocking the day's top time of five minutes, 54.05 seconds over the 2,000-meter course.
The Britons crossed more than three seconds adrift in 5:57.42 and must now work their way into the final through the repechage.
Reigning champions the United States also qualified directly, crossing first in its heat in 5:54.89 ahead of Russia and Romania, which dominated the World Cup this year by winning two of three events.
The U.S. women earned a place in the final when they won their heat in 6:35.43 in front of Olympic silver medalists Canada.
The victory sets the stage for a much anticipated showdown with world and Olympic champions Romania, which was never seriously challenged during its heat, crossing over six seconds ahead of Germany in 6:35.90.
Australia's "Oarsome Foursome" of James Tomkins, Drew Ginn, Michael McKay and Nicolas Green, looked to be back on top form, joining forces with cox Bret Hayman to win its heat of the coxed four more than five seconds ahead of Italy.
McKay, Green, Tomkins and Ginn had been the dominant force in the men's coxless four, winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics. But they missed selection in that event after illness prevented them from competing in the Australian trials.
The parts of the Aussie crew, however, may be greater than the whole.
Green and Tomkins have already qualified for the semifinals in the coxed pairs while McKay and Ginn were second to the United States and will try to advance in Thursday's repechage.
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