European Championships
Strong nerves after a weak start: Zeidler on course
A successful start to the European Rowing Championships in Munich: Oliver Zeidler. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
There is a scary moment right at the beginning. But after a bad start, Oliver Zeidler doesn’t give his opponents a chance in the lead-up. In addition, the eighth with second place remains on target.
Weak start, strong nerves – despite a technical mishap, local hero Oliver Zeidler started successfully in the European Rowing Championships in Munich.
Although the one-world champion of 2019 initially fell dangerously behind, he won the heat. On the Olympic course in Oberschleißheim, which is his home, the 26-year-old relegated the Bulgarian Kristian Wasilew to second place with a lead of a good boat length and made it into the semi-finals. “At the start I missed five, six, seven seconds. But I was very controlled at the back,” said Zeidler.
Zeidler in the lead with a strong finish
After 500 meters, the European Championship co-favorite, who was born in nearby Dachau, was only in third place, but did not let himself be discouraged and took the lead shortly after half of the course. “I’ve easily done a thousand starts at this point. Today was definitely one of the worst,” he commented with a smile on the moment of shock at the start. Zeidler has no worries that the race to catch up could have cost him too much energy for further European Championship tasks and the announced medal hunt: “I didn’t have to expend so much energy, so I didn’t throw up. I think it’ll be fine.”
Unlike Zeidler, the Germany eight missed a win – not surprisingly. Just like five weeks ago at the World Cup finals in Lucerne, the DRV parade boat had to admit defeat to the currently overpowering British, but substantiated its claim to a medal by coming second in the preliminary heat. In addition, the gap between Lucerne and the winning boat of more than five seconds was reduced by around half in Munich. “We’re surprised it’s working so well,” said Torben Johannesen (Hamburg), who was appointed batsman at short notice, referring to changes made due to illness.
Eighth coach looking forward to the final run
However, all boats were already qualified for the final on Saturday before the race because only five nations entered the eighth. It is quite possible that tactics were used in the therefore meaningless advance. “It was important for us to gain self-confidence and find our rhythm,” said Uwe Bender. However, the eighth coach didn’t really trust the result: “Second place is gratifying. But you will only know how much the individual teams have invested after the final.”
The start of the European Championship was not very successful for the rest of the DRV fleet. Also one-hope Alexandra Föster (Meschede), who had surprised with a victory on the Rotsee in Lucerne, did not get past fourth place. With a total of ten DRV starts in the 14 Olympic classes, there was only one victory for Zeidler. Not only these meager results, but also the mostly large deficits give food for thought.
The races in the men’s quadruple sculls and lightweight sculls took place without German participation. After various positive corona tests, both boats were canceled at the beginning of the week. With the double scull, another skull crew dropped out for health reasons. Also not at the start is the two without a coxswain.